FKF Suspends Patrick Matasi Amid Match-Fixing Allegations
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has temporarily suspended goalkeeper Patrick Matasi for 90 days following claims of involvement in match-fixing. The decision remains in effect as investigations continue.
FKF confirmed that the inquiry is being conducted in partnership with FIFA, CAF, and other relevant bodies to ensure a thorough examination of the matter.
“The decision was made in line with Section VII (2) of the FKF Anti-Match Manipulation Regulations (2016) and has been officially communicated to both Kakamega Homeboyz FC and the player.
The federation remains committed to safeguarding fairness in football and maintaining transparency throughout the process. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses,” FKF stated.
The suspension follows the circulation of a widely shared video on Thursday, in which Matasi is allegedly seen discussing arrangements related to fixing a football match.
Despite the claims, Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula stated that Matasi has denied any wrongdoing.
“When the first video surfaced on Wednesday night, I sent it to him. He responded by saying he has no knowledge of it. This morning (Thursday), I shared the second part, and he insists that he is not the person in the footage. He is shocked by the allegations,” said Shimanyula.
Kakamega Homeboyz Team Manager Boniface Imbezi echoed the same stance.
“He trained today, and when I asked him about the video, he firmly denied being involved. We have advised him to continue staying off social media and focus on training, as he has done since joining the club.”
Efforts to reach Matasi for a statement were unsuccessful, as his phone remained switched off.
In the first video, a person resembling Matasi appears to be inside a vehicle, listening to instructions from another individual on how to influence a match outcome.
“I repeat again before my boss. This is the first deal, I beg you. You know how we have done business. I have never let you down, and you have never let me down.
My business with you is zero failure. Whatever will be given to me, I will forward it to you. Immediately I do that, I will give you a phone call, and the boss will confirm you have received, then the deal is on. That first half, bro, what we want must happen,” the voice says.
A second clip allegedly captures further discussions involving two other individuals.
“Let me ask you something, Matasi. Can you promise us two goals in the first half? That’s all we need.
And the reason we are asking for it is simple (a second voice interjects) – we will open the match. When you concede, you open the game. If the match reaches 20 minutes without a goal, it becomes locked. But if you allow a goal early, before things heat up, everyone will know we conceded, and the team will fight back.”
The individual alleged to be Matasi then responds:
“So what I’ll do… you know all this will happen depending on what I discuss with the defender, because the first 10 minutes is just….”
Despite the controversy, Shimanyula maintained that the club would not act against Matasi unless the footage is verified.
“We don’t even know if this is a camera trick. As a club, we cannot make decisions based on speculation or videos whose authenticity we cannot confirm. Matasi has played three matches and performed well. If the coach decides to include him in this weekend’s game against KCB, we have no problem with that,” said Shimanyula.
Matasi has previously faced criticism for costly mistakes at both club and national team levels. He was heavily scrutinized following Kenya’s 4-1 loss to Cameroon in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group J qualifier in Yaoundé.
His performance was also questioned after conceding soft goals in Kenya Police FC’s defeat to Egyptian side Zamalek in the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round.
The goalkeeper joined Kakamega Homeboyz in February from Kenya Police FC, having previously played for AFC Leopards, Posta Rangers, Tusker, and Ethiopian club Saint George.