Posted on: January 11, 2025 Posted by: Kevin Tev Comments: 0

Kenya’s journey in the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup ended after they lost 1-0 to hosts Zanzibar in a fiery encounter at Gombani Stadium, Pemba. The Heroes scored a 93rd-minute winner to secure the win and advance to the final, where they will face Burkina Faso. The match was overshadowed by heated altercations, including a referee striking a Harambee Stars player. Abud Omar saw red as Harambee Stars exited the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup. Referee punches Harambee Stars player Francis Kimanzi’s team was looking for at least a draw to reach the final and were on their way to the final. . However, it was a bad-tempered match with cynical challenges and controversial officiating. Towards the end of the first half, there was a minutes-long heated altercation.

In the 44th minute, the Heroes got an opportunity to counterattack, but Feisal Salum’s pass was intercepted by a Kenyan defender, resulting in a brawl between players from both teams. The referee blew the first-half whistle in the 54th minute. In the second half, challenges continued to fly as both teams tried to get a goal—Kenyan goalkeeper Faruk Shikalo and his Zanzibar counterpart Yakoub Suleiman. In the 66th minute, the referee awarded Zanzibar a free-kick, a decision Kenyan captain Abud Omar was not happy with. Kenyan players surrounded the referee, who showed Omar a yellow card. Still, the skipper hounded the referee, who showed him a straight red card, but it wasn’t over. Omar grabbed the card and refused to exit the field. The official then punched Omar in the ensuing chaos. Ali Khatib scored Zanzibar’s only goal in the 93rd minute from a corner. Kenya’s attempt to comeback fell short, and they exited the tournament, per CECAFA.

The hosts will face Burkina Faso in the final on January 13. How Kenya performed at Mapinduzi Cup Francis Kimanzi was appointed to lead the team after Engin Firat resigned as coach last month. In their first match, they drew 1-1 with Burkina Faso on January 4. James Kinyanjui scored Kenya’s goal late in the first half, while Aboubacar Traoré scored a late equaliser for the West Africans. They defeated Tanzania 2-0 in their second group match thanks to second-half goals from Boniface Muchiri and Ryan Ogam. Traditionally, the tournament has been a platform for East African clubs, but they switched to national teams this time.

by Edwin Kiplagat

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