Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has filed a petition with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) seeking a replay of the Harambee Stars’ 2024 CHAN quarter-final match against Madagascar. According to Sonko, the outcome of the game was influenced by bias and unlawful officiating.
Why is Sonko Petitioning CAF?
In his petition lodged under Article 43 of the CAF Statute, Sonko argues that match officials unfairly disallowed two legitimate goals scored by Kenya without consulting video assistant referees (VAR), team captains, or coaches. He insists the officials’ actions violated the spirit of fairness, sportsmanship, and integrity that should guide continental football.
“The conduct by the match officials in the Kenya versus Madagascar quarter-final game is greatly prejudicial to the Republic of Kenya and contravenes the spirit of sportsmanship, loyalty, integrity, and ethics,” the petition states.
Through lawyer Arnold Oginga, Sonko has further accused the referees, assistant referees, commissioners, and other personnel appointed by CAF or FIFA of jointly conspiring to deny Kenya a fair chance of progressing to the semi-finals.
What Remedies Does the Petition Seek?
Sonko has outlined several demands to CAF. First, he wants the annulment of the penalty shootout results and the nullification of the referee’s decision to disallow Kenya’s two goals. He also seeks to have the quarter-final clash awarded to Harambee Stars. If that is not possible, Sonko requests a full replay of the match.
Additionally, the petition calls for disciplinary action against the referee and other officials who oversaw the game for allegedly breaching CAF’s Code of Conduct and Statutes.
Kenya’s promising CHAN campaign ended in heartbreak on Friday night after Harambee Stars suffered a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Madagascar at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. Despite their strong performance, the disallowed goals and officiating controversies have sparked heated debate, with Sonko’s petition now putting CAF under pressure to review the case.
By Yockshard Enyendi