KENYA VS MADAGASCAR REMATCH?

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has formally petitioned the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over what he describes as blatant officiating bias during Kenya’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarter-final clash with Madagascar.

In documents filed through his lawyers, Sonko claims that the refereeing team unfairly denied Kenya two legitimate goals and failed to conduct a proper VAR review. He argues that the match officials not only erred but also acted in a manner that undermined fair play, which CAF rules are meant to uphold.

In his petition Sonko asked CAF to void the disputed penalty shoot-out that sent Kenya out of the tournament, annul Madagascar’s victory or order a full replay of the game and take disciplinary action against the match officials involved.

He has further requested that CAF suspend Madagascar’s upcoming semi-final fixture against Sudan until the complaint is heard, warning that Kenya will suffer “irreparable injustice” if the tournament proceeds without addressing the alleged irregularities.

The disputed quarter-final at Kasarani ended 1–1 in regular and extra time before Madagascar triumphed in the shoot-out. Kenya had a goal by forward Ryan Ogam ruled out for a supposed foul, while another decision saw Madagascar awarded a penalty after a controversial handball call against Lewis Bandi.

Kenyan fans and football officials protested the rulings, but under CAF’s competition regulations, refereeing decisions made on the pitch are generally not subject to appeal. Sonko’s legal team insists, however, that this was not merely about refereeing judgment but about “systemic failure and procedural misconduct” that robbed the Harambee Stars of a fair contest.

If CAF entertains the petition, it could set a rare precedent, as continental football bodies rarely overturn match results. Still, the case has energized debates about transparency, accountability, and the effectiveness of VAR in African competitions.

For Sonko , a politician often associated with populist gestures , the petition not only casts him as a defender of national pride but also ties into his earlier pledge of KSh400 million to the Harambee Stars had they gone on to win the tournament. His intervention has intensified speculation over the possibility of a Kenya–Madagascar rematch.

With the complaint now formally lodged, the onus rests squarely on CAF to review the claims and decide whether the officiating controversy that saw Kenya exit CHAN merits further action.

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