Referee Punches Harambee Stars Captain in Shocking Mapinduzi Cup Incident(Video)
Kenya’s 2025 Mapinduzi Cup journey ended with a 1-0 defeat to hosts Zanzibar at Gombani Stadium, Pemba, in a tense match. Zanzibar secured the win with a last-minute goal in the 93rd minute, advancing to the final to face Burkina Faso.
The match was marred by heated exchanges, including a physical confrontation where a referee punched a Kenyan player.
Francis Kimanzi’s team aimed for at least a draw to reach the final, but the match was filled with aggressive challenges and controversial officiating. Just before halftime, a heated clash broke out after a Kenyan defender intercepted Feisal Salum’s pass, leading to a brawl. The referee ended the first half in the 54th minute.
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- Referee Punches Harambee Stars Captain in Shocking Mapinduzi Cup Incident(Video)
In the second half, both teams continued battling for a goal, with Kenyan goalkeeper Faruk Shikalo and Zanzibar’s Yakoub Suleiman making key saves.
A controversial free-kick was awarded to Zanzibar in the 66th minute, upsetting Kenyan captain Abud Omar. As the Kenyan players surrounded the referee, Omar received a yellow card, followed by a red card. Omar refused to leave the field, leading to the referee punching him in the chaos.
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Ali Khatib scored Zanzibar’s winning goal from a corner in the 93rd minute. Despite Kenya’s efforts to equalize, they were eliminated from the tournament.
Zanzibar will face Burkina Faso in the final on January 13.
Kenya’s performance in the tournament:
After Engin Firat’s resignation, Kimanzi took charge of the team. In their first match, Kenya drew 1-1 with Burkina Faso on January 4, with James Kinyanjui scoring for Kenya and Aboubacar Traoré equalizing for Burkina Faso.
In their second group match, Kenya beat Tanzania 2-0 with goals from Boniface Muchiri and Ryan Ogam.
This year’s tournament switched from club to national teams, though it has traditionally been a platform for East African clubs.
Referee Punches Harambee Stars Captain in Shocking Mapinduzi Cup Incident(Video)
