Published on August 9, 2025 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 10 months by Agencies for Kenya Online News
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) saved the day for Kenya’s national football team Harambee Stars from the jaws of defeat as they were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Angola in their CAF 2024 Pamoja Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on Thursday, August 7th, 2025.
The VAR awarded Kenya a penalty that cancelled an early goal netted by Angola before denying the Palancas Negras a goal scored in dying minutes of added time by ruling it offside to deny the Angolans victory.
In the ninth minute, Austin Odhiambo was brought down in the box by Afonso Marques. After a VAR review, the hosts were awarded a penalty. Odhiambo converted the spot kick to bring Kenya on level terms in the 12th minute.
Odhiambo equalized to bring his goal tally to two after Angola struck first in the 7th minute through Jó Paciência, who finished clinically after Beni won the ball on the right wing and surged forward before squaring it to the striker.
A stoppage time goal by Kaporal, was ruled out by VAR for offside in a dramatic end to the game.
After the game, the Kenyan players did a lap of honour around the stadium and when they reached where the VAR booth led by captain Aboud Omar, the players were spotted kissing and
In their first game against DR Congo the VAR turned out to be the Kenyans talisman. DRC had scored inside five minutes, but the goal was disallowed for a foul in the buildup.
It is the first time VAR was being used on Kenyan soil.
The social media was flooded with tweets of Kenyans commenting on the VAR decisions and impact on Kenya’s game.
Sg36669 said, “Welcome to Kenya, where VAR is saving us rather than police officers…
“Chile Boy said, “That’s the rule of Kenya, not CHAN, and we will continue to disallow until we reach the final.”
However, earlier in the match, Kenyan midfielder Marvin Nabwire, who had initially been shown a yellow card, saw his punishment upgraded to a red after a VAR review to reduce Kenya’s playing unit to 10 men.
It is the first time VAR was being used on Kenyan soil.
Kenya now tops Group A with four points from two matches. Morocco, who defeated Angola 2-0 in their opener at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, are second with three points — level with DR Congo, who beat Zambia 2-0 earlier on Thursday.
Angola have collected one point from two matches, while Zambia remain bottom without a point.
