Kenyan football has been rocked by allegations of match-fixing involving seasoned goalkeeper Patrick Matasi. On March 26th, a leaked video surfaced online, allegedly showing Matasi in a car discussing plans to manipulate the outcome of a football match. The video has sparked outrage among fans and raised serious questions about the integrity of Kenyan football.
In the video, Matasi appears to be engaged in a conversation with an unidentified individual who outlines instructions for fixing the match’s first half. The individual emphasizes secrecy and mentions past collaborations, suggesting a history of similar dealings. Matasi’s nods and verbal affirmations in the video have fueled speculation about his involvement.
The timing of the video is particularly damaging for Matasi, who has faced criticism for conceding questionable goals in recent matches. His performance during Kenya’s 4-1 loss to Cameroon in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers was widely criticized, and he has since been excluded from the national team by coach Benni McCarthy.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has launched an official investigation into the allegations, promising a thorough and transparent process in collaboration with FIFA and CAF. FKF has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation and urged anyone with credible information to come forward.
Matasi, who recently joined Kakamega Homeboyz after leaving Kenya Police FC, now faces an uncertain future. While the video lacks crucial details such as the recording date and location, its implications are severe. Fans and football stakeholders are demanding accountability and measures to safeguard the integrity of the sport.
According to reports, Cleophas Shimanyula the chairman of Kakamega Homeboyz, has stated that after showing Matasi the videos, Matasi has said that he is not the person in the videos, and that he has no knowlege of the videos. He claimed the video was AI generated on Twitter (X), while the videos clearly aren’t AI.
As the investigation unfolds, the scandal serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Kenyan football. Match-fixing not only undermines the credibility of the sport but also erodes trust among fans and players alike. The FKF’s response to this crisis will be closely watched as it seeks to restore faith in Kenyan football.
