Cecafa reject FKF appeal over Junior Starlets vs Sudan thriller

Cecafa wiped out Kenya’s historic victory replacing it with a standard 3-0 walkover, a decision that has sparked protests from FKF who argue that Kenya was not responsible for the abandonment of the match and should not be punished.

Junior Starlets recorded one of the biggest score lines ever witnessed in a match in Africa when they put Sudan to the sword in Dar es Salaam on June 13.

However, just past the hour mark, the match was stopped after Sudan was reduced to six players due to injuries. With Sudan’s number of players below the minimum requirement, the game was abandoned and a decision has now been made.

“To me I think Cecafa were very right. The tournament has been organised by them and thus it should fully be abided by its laws and not that of CAF or FIFA. This is a tournament and Football Kenya Federation also has its rules as any other federation so to me I think the decision was very right.”

Kanyi, who was Harambee Starlets head coach between August 2017 to March 2018, however challenged Cecafa to revise their rules which he feels Sudan also were to be punished.

“I also feel Cecafa favoured Sudan because they are the ones who walked outside after they were reduced to six players. Yes, according to the law a team with less six players cannot continue playing but walking out to me showed disrespect and Cecafa need to review their laws.

“Sudan was very clever and they knew being reduced to six players due to injury will results to the decision which favoured them. The matter is now under the bus and our girls need to concentrate to beat Uganda in the semi final tomorrow (Saturday).”

In their latest response, CECAFA maintain that Article 16.4 of their regulations applies, arguing that a team that abandons a match automatically loses 3-0, regardless of the score at the time of abandonment.

The regional body therefore dismisses FKF's argument that CAF Article 64 should prevail and preserve Kenya's 16-0 lead when Sudan walked off in the 54th minute.

The decision sets up a major regulatory standoff, with FKF maintaining that CAF rules should apply through the competition framework, while CECAFA insists its tournament regulations take precedence in determining the final outcome of the match.

​This technical ruling has severely damaged Kenya’s tournament campaign, as it erases Brenda Achieng’s seven goals against Sudan and strips the Junior Starlets of a massive +16 goal cushion.

By drastically reducing Kenya's goal difference to +9, the decision has left rivals Tanzania at the top of Group A on goal difference, meaning the Junior Starlets will now face Uganda in the semis.