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Kenya’s run in the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup came to a dramatic halt after a 1-0 loss to hosts Zanzibar in a fiery showdown at Gombani Stadium, Pemba. The match had all the makings of a soap opera: a nail-biting 93rd-minute winner by the Heroes, fiery confrontations, and—wait for it—a referee throwing hands like he was auditioning for a boxing title.
In a scene that could rival any WWE smackdown, the referee, who clearly had no intention of letting a little thing like professionalism get in the way, punched Harambee Stars captain in the heat of the moment. Rumor has it that the ref had been watching too many Rocky movies before the game.
The Harambee Stars, stunned by both the last-minute goal and the referee’s unexpected jab, saw their hopes dashed, while the Heroes celebrated their ticket to the final against Burkina Faso. Meanwhile, Kenya will return home with a third-place finish—and a captain with a referee-induced war story to tell.
Safe to say, this game proved one thing: in Zanzibar, even the referees play rought 😂 !
Referee Lands Punch on Harambee Stars Captain in Heated Zanzibar Match
Francis Kimanzi’s Harambee Stars were fighting tooth and nail for a spot in the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup final, needing at least a draw to secure their place. But what unfolded at Gombani Stadium could only be described as a dramatic mix of football, chaos, and—unexpectedly—a boxing match.
The match, already tense with controversial officiating and rough challenges, took a wild turn as tempers flared. In the 44th minute, a Zanzibar counterattack ended with Feisal Salum’s pass intercepted by a Kenyan defender, sparking a mass brawl between players from both sides. Despite the scuffle, the referee let the first half drag on until the 54th minute before blowing the whistle.
The second half wasn’t any calmer. Both teams pushed aggressively for a breakthrough, with Kenyan goalkeeper Faruk Shikalo and Zanzibar’s Yakoub Suleiman making crucial saves. Then came the 66th-minute drama. The referee awarded Zanzibar a free-kick, a decision that didn’t sit well with Kenyan captain Abud Omar.
Surrounding the referee, Kenyan players voiced their discontent, but Omar took it a step further, earning himself a yellow card. Not one to back down, the furious skipper continued his protest, prompting the referee to whip out a red card. Instead of leaving quietly, Omar snatched the card from the referee’s hand, escalating the situation to an unexpected climax.
What followed left everyone stunned: the referee, seemingly fed up, threw a punch at Omar amid the chaos. Players and officials scrambled to intervene, turning the match into an unforgettable spectacle for all the wrong reasons.
The referee throwing a punch. pic.twitter.com/JOMtzCNkl9
— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) January 10, 2025
Ali Khatib’s 93rd-minute header from a corner sealed Zanzibar’s 1-0 victory, dashing Kenya’s hopes of advancing further in the Mapinduzi Cup, according to CECAFA. With this win, the hosts secured their spot in the final, where they’ll face Burkina Faso on January 13.
How Kenya Fared in the Mapinduzi Cup
Francis Kimanzi took the reins as Kenya’s coach after Engin Firat’s resignation last month. In their opening game on January 4, the Harambee Stars drew 1-1 with Burkina Faso. James Kinyanjui found the net late in the first half, but Aboubacar Traoré equalized for the West Africans in the dying moments of the match.
Kenya bounced back in their second group match, defeating Tanzania 2-0. Boniface Muchiri and Ryan Ogam scored decisive second-half goals, giving the team a much-needed win.
Traditionally a showcase for East African club teams, the Mapinduzi Cup shifted its format this year, featuring national teams instead—a move that added a fresh layer of competitiveness to the tournament.