Goalkeeper Matasi (far left) - Photo Credit - FKF Media.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have promised to do a thorough investigation to unravel claims that goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has been manipulating matches involving national team Harambee Stars and in the Premier League.
On Thursday, Matasi was dragged into serious allegations of match-fixing after a secretly recorded video was leaked allegedly showing him negotiating a deal to manipulate the outcome of a match.
While the video is not clear whether the 37-year-old was planning to fix a top-flight or a Harambee Stars match, he is seen seated in the right back seat of a stationary vehicle, actively engaged in a conversation with someone off-camera, who goes ahead to promise him pay if he manages to fix the game in question.
The footage was secretly recorded from the left back seat by another person, though the exact date it was recorded remained unclear. Matasi, currently plays for Kakamega Homeboyz after a recent stint at Kenya Police FC, ended in an abrupt fashion after new coach Etienne Ndayiragije, dropped him to bench over inconsistent displays preferring second choice Job Ochieng.
Reacting to the video, FKF said in a signed statement seen by Pan-Africa Football which was dubbed ‘Match Manipulation Investigation’: “FKF is aware of video circulating online involving goalkeeper Patrick (Matasi), raising concerns about possible match manipulation.
Statement on Match Manipulation Allegations.
“FKF upholds the integrity of football and has launched an official investigation in collaboration with FIFA, CAF, and other relevant authorities. We re-affirm our zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation, and are committed to safeguarding the credibility of our competition.
“This investigation will adhere to FKF’s Anti-Match Manipulation Regulations and FIFA guidelines, ensuring a fair, transparent, and thorough process. The rights of the player and his club will be respected, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings.”
The statement concluded: “We encourage anyone with credible information, to assist in this investigation. All reports will be handled with strict confidentially. FKF will provide further details as the investigations progress.”
When reached for a comment over the matter, Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula, welcomed the move by FKF to investigate. “It is good that FKF have taken over the matter, we hope they will go down and get us the truth,” Shimanyula told Pan-Africa Football.
“He (Matasi) only joined us only a month ago, he has played three matches and kept clean sheets in both. In fact there is a game, in the domestic Cup, where he saved two penalties, so I don’t want to jump into conclusion that Matasi fixes matches, but we support the move by FKF to call for thorough investigations.”
Pressed whether he could take action if Matasi is found guilty, Shimanyula responded: “Why not, we don’t advocate for match-fixing. If there is one official who has been against the vice is me, I have reported several cases to World governing body FIFA, and it is on record.
“If we get evidence which is beyond reasonable doubt that he has been betting, whether at Homeboyz or previous teams, then definitely we will take action.”
Matasi’s mistakes among many, came to foe in a recent 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixture between Kenya and Cameroon, a game Harambee Stars lost 4-1 to dent their hopes of qualifying for the tournament to be hosted in Morocco.
After the game, a section of agitated Kenyans took to social media to accuse Matasi of letting in easy goals, and the then coach Engin Firat responded to his shoddy performance by benching him in subsequent matches in favour of Bryne Omondi of Bandari FC.
Outside Kenya, Matasi, who made his debut for Harambee Stars in 2017 and has so far managed 31 caps in total, also played for Ethiopian Premier League club Saint George in October 2018.
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