Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has stormed into the football debate after Harambee Stars were dumped out of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) quarter-finals by Madagascar.
Sonko has filed a petition with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), demanding that the match be replayed. He argues that two legitimate goals scored by Kenya were wrongly disallowed, and that the penalty shootout should not stand.
His bold move raises key questions. Under what circumstances can CAF allow a football match to be replayed, and do Sonko’s claims fit the rules?
Why Sonko Wants Harambee Stars Match Replayed
Sonko’s petition was filed in Cairo within the 48-hour deadline and served to CAF, Madagascar’s football association, and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
He claims the officiating in the Kenya versus Madagascar game was “prejudicial to the Republic of Kenya” and violated CAF’s statutes and codes. The complaint centers on two disallowed goals, which he says denied Harambee Stars a fair chance to reach the semifinals.
In his affidavit, Sonko also asked CAF to suspend the penalty shootout results. Kenya lost 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal and extra time.
Sonko is seeking interim orders to block Madagascar from playing their semifinal clash against Sudan until CAF rules on his petition. This demand has ignited debate on whether poor refereeing decisions are enough grounds for a replay.
CAF Rules on Replay and Suspension of Matches
CAF rules are guided by FIFA’s International Football Association Board (IFAB) Laws of the Game. Law 7.5 states: “An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules or organisers determine otherwise.”
That means the referee cannot unilaterally decide on a replay. The authority rests with the competition’s organisers—in this case, CAF’s Organising Committee or Disciplinary Board.
Replays are only ordered under very specific conditions. These include:
- Unsafe playing conditions such as heavy rain, flooding, or lightning making the pitch unplayable.
- Security breaches like riots, crowd violence, or pitch invasions that endanger players and fans.
- Stadium problems including power failures or structural issues that stop the game from continuing.
- Team incapacity where a side cannot field at least seven players due to red cards or injuries.
- Extraordinary external events such as political unrest, health emergencies, or natural disasters.
In such cases, CAF can reschedule the match or move it to a neutral venue. If abandonment results from deliberate misconduct by one team, CAF may instead award victory to the opponents rather than replay.
When Referee Decisions Can Trigger a Replay
One of the toughest hurdles for Sonko is FIFA’s Law 5, which states that a referee’s decisions on facts connected with play are final. This covers goals, penalties, and disciplinary measures. In normal circumstances, controversial or poor decisions—even glaring mistakes—cannot be challenged after the match.
However, replays are possible if the referee misapplies the Laws of the Game. For example:
- Allowing an ineligible player to take part.
- Miscounting penalty kicks.
- Wrongly applying a rule, such as restarting play incorrectly after a penalty.
CAF follows the same principle. If there is evidence of bias, corruption, or manipulation, CAF can annul results and order a replay. But ordinary human error, like misjudging an offside or disallowing a close goal, usually stands.
Sonko will therefore need to prove that the disallowed goals were not simply errors in judgment but violations of CAF’s statutes. If he can link them to bias, corruption, or gross misapplication of the rules, CAF could consider his petition.
What Happens Next?
The CAF Disciplinary Board must make its ruling before Madagascar’s scheduled semifinal against Sudan on August 26. If the board grants Sonko’s request for provisional measures, the semifinal could be delayed.
This case puts CAF in a difficult position. On one hand, ignoring petitions risks undermining fairness. On the other, ordering replays due to disputed referee calls could open the floodgates to endless appeals after every match.
For Harambee Stars, this is a bitter moment. Kenya were debutants at CHAN and fought bravely, only to lose 4-3 on penalties. Two missed spot kicks by Mike Kibwage and Alphonce Omija sealed their exit.
Sonko’s petition now keeps the nation waiting. Will CAF see enough merit to overturn the result and order a replay, or will Kenya’s dream end here?
