- Kenya left the Mapinduzi Cup 2025 after losing 1-0 to hosts Zanzibar 1-0 in their third match on Friday
- Harambee Stars conceded the goal in the 93rd minute due to a corner in a match that had strong opposition
- The Heroes will face Burkina Faso in the final on January 13, while Kenya returns home after finishing third
Kenya's trip to the Mapinduzi Cup 2025 ended after losing 1-0 to the hosts of Zanzibar in a fierce game played at Gombani Stadium, Pemba.
The Heroes scored the winning goal in the 93rd minute to secure the victory and advance to the finals, where they will face Burkina Faso.
The match was surrounded by violent arguments, including the referee hitting the player Harambee Stars.
Kenyan Abud Omar was shown a red card and punched by the referee against Zanzibar in the Mapinduzi Cup
Abud Omar saw red when Harambee Stars left the Mapinduzi Cup 2025. Photo by Sam Lulli.
Also read
KCSE results: Kisii boy's parents are happy for their son's success despite staying at home for 1 year
The referee punches a Harambee Stars player
Francis Kimanzi's team was looking for at least a draw to reach the final and they were heading for the final.
However, it was a furious match with ridiculous challenges and controversial leaders. Towards the end of the first half, there was a heated exchange for a minute.
In the 44th minute, Heroes had a chance to attack, but Feisal Salum's pass was intercepted by the Kenyan defender, causing violence between the players of both teams. The referee blew the whistle for the first half in the 54th minute.
In the second half, the challenges continued to heat up as both teams tried to score – the Kenyan goalkeeper, Faruk Shikalo and his Zanzibar counterpart, Yakoub Suleiman.
In the 66th minute, the referee awarded Zanzibar a free goal, a decision that the Kenyan captain, Abud Omar was not happy with.
The Kenyan players booed the referee who showed a yellow card to Omar. Still, the captain scolded the referee, who showed him a straight red card, but it didn't end.
Omar grabbed the card and refused to leave the field. The officer then punched Omar in the ensuing chaos.
Ali Khatib scored the only goal for Zanzibar in the 93rd minute finishing off a corner. Kenya's attempt to come back failed, and they were out of the tournament, according to CECAFA.
The hosts will face Burkina Faso in the final on January 13.
How Kenya played in the Revolution 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 goal for the West Africans.
They won Tanzania 2-0 in their second group match thanks to second half goals from Boniface Muchiri and Ryan Ogam.
Usually, the championship has been a platform for East African clubs, but this time they moved to the national teams.
Mulama comments on McCarthy rumours
Earlier TUKO.co.ke reported that former Harambee Stars midfielder Titus Mulama weighed in on Benni McCarthy possibly becoming Harambee Stars coach.
Mulama believes the Bafana Bafana legend will bring experience and professionalism to the team. McCarthy was the coach of Manchester United between 2022 and 2024.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
