Harambee Stars goalkeeper Patrick Matasi found himself at the center of a match-fixing storm after a video circulated on social media, allegedly capturing him in a conversation with a man attempting to persuade him to engage in match manipulation.
In the video, Matasi was seen seated in a car as the unidentified man made enticing promises while instructing him on the supposed scheme. The veteran goalkeeper appeared to listen attentively to the proposals.
The timing and location of the video’s recording, as well as the details of the match allegedly involved, remained unclear. However, the footage placed Matasi in an awkward position.
Also Read
The 37-year-old goalkeeper had recently left Kenya Police FC to join Kakamega Homeboyz. He had seemingly lost his place in the national team after making two errors in Kenya’s 4-1 loss to Cameroon during an AFCON qualifier last October.
Details of Matasi’s Conversation The leaked video reportedly captured a conversation in which the unidentified man stated: “I repeat again before the boss, this is the first deal. You know how we have done this. I have never let you down, you have never let me down.” This statement appeared to suggest that similar dealings had occurred before.
“With you, zero failure, right?” the man asked, to which Matasi allegedly responded, “Yes.”
“Whatever will be given to me, I will forward it to you straightaway. Immediately after I forward it, I will give you a phone call, and the boss will confirm that you have received it. Then the deal is on,” the man reportedly added.
The individual further emphasized the expectations, stating, “That first half, bro, what we want must come,” to which Matasi seemed to agree.
Following the emergence of the video, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) provisionally suspended Matasi for 90 days. In an official statement released on Wednesday, FKF cited concerns raised by the circulating footage, which suggested possible match-fixing.
According to FKF, the suspension was implemented in accordance with Section VII (2) of the FKF Anti-Match Manipulation Regulations (2016). The decision had been formally communicated to both Kakamega Homeboyz FC and Matasi.
“In collaboration with FIFA, CAF, and other relevant authorities, we have initiated an official investigation into the matter,” FKF stated. The federation reaffirmed its commitment to upholding integrity in football and ensuring a fair and transparent process for all parties involved.
The incident sparked reactions from football stakeholders and fans, given Matasi’s reputation as one of Kenya’s top goalkeepers. Analysts suggested that if found guilty, Matasi could face severe sanctions, including a lengthy ban from football activities