Madagascar defeated Kenya in the quarter finals in the 2025 CHAN tournament
Former Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko has taken a legal action against the Confederation of African Football (CAF), challenging Kenya’s controversial elimination from the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
According to reports, the case has been filed in Cairo, Egypt, following the Harambee Stars’ heartbreaking quarterfinal exit to Madagascar.
Kenya, making their debut at the tournament, saw their historic run cut short after a 1-1 draw led to a penalty shootout at Kasarani Stadium last Friday, August 22, 2025.
Madagascar won the game 4-3 in the penalty shootouts, with Toky Rakotondraibe scoring the decisive penalty after Kenya’s Alphonce Omija missed.
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However, Sonko insists the outcome was marred by officiating errors. In his petition, he argues that Kenya had two legitimate goals wrongly disallowed, one from defender Alphonce Omija and another from forward Ryan Ogam, which forced the game into penalties.
He is demanding that CAF nullify the penalty shootout, suspend the match officials involved, and halt the scheduled Madagascar versus Sudan semi-final on August 26 2025, until the matter is resolved.
The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions. After a tense, goalless first half, Omija rose to head home Boniface Muchiri’s cross just three minutes into the second period, sending the home fans into raptures.
Kenya appeared to have doubled their lead when Ogam slotted past the goalkeeper, only for the flag to go up for offside, a decision now under heavy scrutiny.
Madagascar clawed back late to level the score line, forcing extra time and eventually penalties. The cruel shootout ended Kenya’s 38-year wait for a continental semi-final appearance, leaving the players devastated.
FKA/JE
Meanwhile, watch videos from the 2025 Democracy Cup trophy presentation to Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin on GhanaWeb TV below:
