Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has dramatically entered the football arena, filing a petition to challenge Harambee Stars’ elimination from the African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarter-finals by Madagascar.
The petition, lodged in Cairo within the 48-hour window, has been formally served to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Madagascar’s national team, and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
In his affidavit, Sonko is seeking interim orders to suspend the penalty shootout results that ended Kenya’s campaign. He claims that two legitimate goals by the Stars were wrongly disallowed, an error he argues robbed Kenya of a fair chance to progress.
“The conduct by the match officials in the Kenya versus Madagascar quarter-final game is greatly prejudicial to the Republic of Kenya and the Applicant herein, as it contravenes CAF statutes and Code,” reads part of the petition.
The bold move has ignited debate on when a football match can legitimately be suspended, abandoned, or replayed. Under FIFA’s International Football Association Board (IFAB) Law 7.5, abandoned matches are replayed unless competition rules dictate otherwise. Common grounds for replays include severe weather, unsafe pitch conditions, or security breaches such as riots and crowd trouble.
However, a crucial legal hurdle stands in the way of Sonko. Referee decisions on matters of fact—such as awarding goals, penalties, or cards- are final and cannot be overturned after a match. Only in cases of rule misapplication, bias, corruption, or manipulation can competition authorities intervene, with the CAF’s Organising Committee empowered to order a replay or award the match.
As it stands, the CAF Disciplinary Board must render a ruling before August 26, when Madagascar is scheduled to face Sudan in the semifinals. Sonko has urged the Board to halt the fixture until his complaint is fully determined.
Meanwhile, Harambee Stars’ fairy-tale run came to an agonizing end at Moi Stadium, Kasarani, where they lost 4-3 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw. Missed spot kicks from Mike Kibwage and Alphonce Omija sealed Kenya’s exit, leaving fans and players heartbroken despite their spirited debut performance in the tournament.
