Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has filed a petition challenging Harambee Stars’ controversial elimination from the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) quarterfinals against Madagascar.
The case was submitted in Cairo, Egypt within the required 48 hours and served to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Madagascar national team, and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
In an affidavit filed on Sunday, Sonko is seeking interim orders to overturn the penalty shootout that saw Madagascar advance. He argues that two of Kenya’s goals were wrongly disallowed, unfairly denying the national team a spot in the semi-finals.
Sonko wants the court to:
- Suspend the decision that canceled Kenya’s two goals.
- Nullify the penalty shootout results.
- Halt the semi-final between Madagascar and Sudan, set for August 26, 2025.
- Bar the match officials from overseeing any further games until the case is resolved.
“I swear this affidavit urging that the application for interim provisional measures herein be allowed as prayed,” he stated.
The outspoken former governor insists that the integrity of the tournament is at stake if the disputed results stand. His legal team has requested an urgent hearing before the semi-finals kick off in two days.
Sonko had earlier promised Harambee Stars KSh 400 million if they lifted the CHAN 2024 trophy.
Kenya’s exit after the heated clash has left fans and players divided over the refereeing, and the petition has now thrown CHAN 2025 into uncertainty as teams, officials, and supporters await the court’s verdict.
