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late April, the club indefinitely suspended Ezekiel Odera for being ‘part of an elaborate scheme to manipulate the club’s league matches.
Former Nairobi City Stars and AFC Leopards players Ezekiel Odera and Salim Shitu Abdallah have been provisionally suspended by the FKF Integrity Department for alleged involvement in match manipulation practices, weeks after the club swung its internal axe.
The two players were part of the Simba wa Nairobi squad this season until the expiry of their contracts at the end of June.
However, in late April, the club indefinitely suspended Odera for being ‘part of an elaborate scheme to manipulate the club’s league matches’ after taking part in ‘investigations’ on match fixing without the club’s authorization.
Odera, a former AFC Leopards and Western Stima striker, was indefinitely suspended by the club in a letter sent to the forward – and obtained by Pulse Sports
"I wish to take note of our meeting held at City Stars’ offices on April 30 where you confirmed you had been doing an ‘investigation’ on match-fixing/manipulation in the team by approaching some players,” the letter read.
"Considering the club management never sanctioned your ‘investigations’ and had no knowledge of the same, your actions power the allegations that you are indeed involved in match-fixing within the club.
"You are immediately and indefinitely suspended from Nairobi City Stars pending the completion and outcome of the investigations, and in that period, you will distance yourself from the club training grounds, official matches, and from making any direct contact with any team players or personnel on the technical bench.”
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09:25 - 04.07.2023
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Both players were then investigated by the FKF integrity department, who have also come to the decision to suspend the players over the matter.
It is not the first time that Nairobi City Stars players have found themselves in match manipulation controversy.
In March, three suspects – including a Russian - were arraigned in court over claims they were planning to manipulate a match between the club’s side with Sofapaka.
Both sides were due to square it off at the Ruaraka Grounds in Nairobi on Saturday 11th March 2023.
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10:51 - 03.07.2023
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If the arrangement went according to the script, the players were to receive Sh1.8 million (US$14,000). But they were to first collect Sh30,000 each via Mpesa as part of the rule.
Authorized by club CEO Patrick Korir and team co-ordinator Samson Otieno, City Stars agreed to send seven players to the suspects as part of a plot to set a trap and catch them red-handed.
The suspects contacted former footballer Festo Omukoto, the ambassador for match-fixing for the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association.
However, the suspects did not know that Omukoto has always been eager to clear his name ever since he was banned in 2020 after being implicated in a match-fixing scandal.
The suspects allegedly told the players they were to let up a goal in the first ten minutes and make sure the score was still 1-0 at the break.
Then, in stoppage time, City Stars would give up a second goal, and if they managed to score, Sofapaka would have to add another.
The game ended 1-1, before the three individuals were arrested over the matter.
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05:31 - 04.07.2023
FOOTBALL FKF reveal fundamental aspects of CAF B coaching curriculum
Starting this coming season, all coaches in the FKF Premier League shall be required to hold a CAF B license.
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