Former Governor Mike Sonko challenges Harambee Stars’ CHAN loss to Madagascar in court
Sonko wants the CAF Disciplinary Board Chair to halt the progression of the tournament pending a hearing and determination of the suit.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has moved to court challenging the elimination of Harambee Stars from the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) quarter-finals by Madagascar on August 22.
In his application before the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board, Sonko, through Wanyanga Advocates, claims that the match officials acted with bias, unlawfully disallowed a goal, and violated the spirit of fair play, leading to Kenya's elimination from the tournament.
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He alleges that the Kenyan team scored two goals, but one was disallowed by the referees without reference to VAR technology or proper consultation with captains, coaches, or other officials.
Kenya went on to lose the game through a penalty shoot-out.
Sonko contends that the disputed officiating robbed Kenya of victory and a place in the semi-finals.
In his application, Sonko has cited provisions of the CAF Statutes and the CAF Disciplinary Code, which grant individuals standing to lodge complaints about breaches of CAF rules.
"The conduct of referees, assistant referees, match commissioners, and other officials amounted to a conspiracy that unfairly disadvantaged Kenya," he said.
Additionally, he said the decisions contravened CAF's principles of sportsmanship, integrity, loyalty, and ethics.
Sonko wants the Disciplinary Board Chair to halt the progression of the tournament pending a hearing and determination of the suit.
"Suspension of the semi-final fixture between Madagascar and Sudan, scheduled for August 26, 2025 and the decision to disallow Kenya's second goal," he states.
He also wants the suspension of the penalty shoot-out results that determined Kenya's elimination.
Further, he seeks a temporary suspension of the match officials involved, barring them from officiating future games until the case is resolved.
Parallel to the complaint, Sonko's legal team also issued a formal protest letter dated August 24, 2025, to the CAF Secretariat in Egypt.
The letter is filed under Article 43.5 of the CHAN Regulations, urging CAF not to confirm the match results and to instead review referee reports, match recordings, and VAR footage.
At its core, the case underscores broader concerns about transparency and accountability in African football officiating.
Sonko framed the dispute not merely as a sporting issue, but as one implicating fairness, integrity, and justice in continental competitions.
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