A shocking incident unfolded at Gombani Stadium as Michael Olunga and Eric Johana criticized controversial officiating in Harambee Stars’ loss.
Friday night action at Gombani Stadium descended into chaos as Harambee Stars’ local-based side suffered a controversial 1-0 loss to Zanzibar in the Mapinduzi Cup.
The match, meant to prepare Kenyan players for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), was overshadowed by allegations of poor officiating and shocking on-field incidents involving the referee.
Kenyan international Michael Olunga, who did not feature in the match but closely followed the proceedings, led a chorus of condemnation directed at the match officials.
Kenya battled with ten men in a thrilling Mapinduzi Cup clash and the host now will now face Burkina Faso in the final.
The striker was particularly incensed by an altercation in the 68th minute, during which Harambee Stars captain Abud Omar was sent off after what appeared to be a physical confrontation with the referee.
“Ref alirusha hook na bado ana officiate game? (The ref threw a hook but is still officiating the game?) 🤣🤣🤣… !!! Never seen something like that before!! Weeeuh!” Olunga tweeted in disbelief, capturing the sentiment of many Kenyan fans who were left stunned by the officiating.
The drama began when Alphonce Omija was adjudged to have committed a foul just outside Kenya’s penalty area.
Four Harambee Stars players, led by Omar, vehemently protested the decision, with emotions running high. Chaos ensued as Omar and the referee appeared to exchange blows, forcing a nine-minute stoppage. The referee retaliated by issuing a red card to Omar, who walked off the pitch to applause from the Kenyan technical bench.
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Eric Johana, another senior Harambee Stars player who was not part of the squad, also criticized the referee’s conduct.
“Refereeee unapiga ndugu yangu (Referee, you’re throwing punches at my brother), mambo gani hii (what’s going on here)?” Johana posted on social media, adding to the growing backlash.
Despite the uproar, the match resumed with Harambee Stars reduced to 10 men. Zanzibar capitalized on the numerical advantage, increasing their attacking intensity as the game progressed. However, Kenyan goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo made crucial saves to deny Zanzibar in the first half and early in the second.
The defining moment came in the third minute of the 15-minute stoppage time. A lapse in Kenya’s defense allowed Zanzibar’s Ibrahim Hamad Hilika to find Inzagi unmarked in the penalty area. The striker’s downward header proved too strong for Shikhalo, who managed to get a hand to it but couldn’t prevent the ball from finding the back of the net.
Zanzibar, who also had a player sent off in the dying moments of the game, celebrated a hard-fought victory that secured their place in the next round, where they will face Burkina Faso.
Harambee Stars, on the other hand, were left to rue missed opportunities and a performance marred by indiscipline and questionable officiating.
The controversial scenes at Gombani Stadium brought back memories of past tensions within the Kenyan camp.
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In March last year, Abud Omar and Eric Johana were reportedly involved in a heated exchange during preparations for the Four Nations Tournament.
Although the incident was resolved, it underscored the fiery temperament that occasionally surfaces in Kenyan football.
