Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has filed a case challenging Harambee Stars’ controversial elimination from the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) quarterfinals by Madagascar.
The case has already been lodged in Cairo within 48 hrs as required and served to the relevant authorities, including CAF, the Madagascar national team, and FKF.
In an affidavit sworn on Sunday, Sonko is seeking interim orders to suspend the results of the penalty shootout in which Madagascar edged out Kenya. He argues that two goals scored by Kenya were wrongfully disallowed, thereby unfairly denying the national team a chance to progress.
In his petition, Sonko is asking the court to suspend the decision that disallowed Kenya’s two goals against Madagascar, nullify the results of the penalty shootout, and halt the upcoming semi-final fixture between Madagascar and Sudan scheduled for August 26, 2025, until his complaint is heard.
He is also demanding that the match officials who handled the Kenya-Madagascar clash be suspended from officiating any further matches until the matter is conclusively determined.
“I swear this affidavit urging that the application for interim provisional measures herein be allowed as prayed,” Sonko stated in the affidavit.
The outspoken former governor insists that the integrity of the tournament is at stake if the disputed match results are allowed to stand. His legal team is pressing for an urgent hearing before the semi-finals kick off in two days.
Kenya exited the tournament after a hard-fought clash, with fans and players alike expressing mixed reactions to the officiating.
The case now adds a dramatic twist to CHAN 2024, leaving football authorities, teams, and supporters anxiously awaiting the court’s determination.
However, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed reiterated that the referees decisions are final in CAF competitions, and that the federation will not be appealing.
“You cannot appeal to overturn the results of the game, unless there is clear evidence of inappropriate conduct from a referee….either direct match-fixing, or something very very gross,” Hussein says.
