Kenyan football has been rocked by a match-fixing storm after a viral video allegedly implicating Harambee Stars goalkeeper Patrick Matasi surfaced online.
The footage, which began circulating on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, appears to show Matasi in a conversation with an unidentified man, supposedly discussing the outcome of an upcoming football match.
In the clip, the man is heard assuring Matasi that their dealings have always been successful and that everything will go as planned.
He mentions a “boss” who is supposed to confirm the transaction, implying a well-coordinated scheme.
Throughout the exchange, Matasi, seated in the back of a stationary vehicle, listens and nods in agreement, fuelling speculation that he was part of a match-fixing arrangement.
The authenticity of the video remains unverified, and crucial details, including when it was recorded, the identity of the speaker, and the specific match being discussed, are still unclear.
However, the clip has sparked heated debates among fans, with some pointing to Matasi’s past performances as potential evidence of foul play.
In response to the controversy, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) announced an official investigation in collaboration with FIFA, CAF, and other relevant authorities.
“FKF upholds the integrity of football and has launched an official investigation into these allegations. We reaffirm our zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation and remain committed to safeguarding the credibility of our competitions,” FKF stated.
FKF has also urged anyone with credible information to come forward, assuring them that all reports will be handled confidentially.
Matasi, who recently joined Kakamega Homeboyz after being released by Kenya Police FC, has yet to respond to the allegations.
However, his club chairman, Cleophas Shimanyula, came to his defense, questioning the authenticity of the video.
“As a club, we can only act if there is concrete evidence. The video alone is not enough proof. We don’t know if it was edited, and we have seen people being framed before. Unless we get specific details, like which game was being fixed, the amount involved, and how it was transacted—we cannot take any action,” said Shimanyula.
The video has divided fans, with some scrutinizing Matasi’s past mistakes for the national team. His performance in Kenya’s 4-1 loss to Cameroon in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers came under fresh scrutiny, with some suggesting that certain goals conceded were questionable.
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga also reacted to the controversy with a cryptic post on X, simply writing, “Damn!! TF!!” His reaction reflected the shock and disbelief among Kenyan football fans.
With the investigation now underway, all eyes are on FKF and Matasi’s next move as the scandal threatens to shake Kenyan football to its core.
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