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A couple of culprits were recently arrested for allegedly trying to alter the outcome of a game involving Nairobi City Stars and Sofapaka FC last month. Ulinzi Stars’ head coach, Boniface Mwalala insists that everyone involved in football needs to earn the right to earn greener fortunes by working for it, rather than taking the shortcut route to earn a few bob.
FKF Premier League coaches are in unison about kicking out match fixing from Kenyan Football after a worrying surge in allegations of the vice.
A number of alleged culprits were recently arrested trying to manipulate the outcome of a game involving Nairobi City Stars and Sofapaka FC last month.
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10:45 - 11.03.2023
KPL Ugandan among three arrested for match-fixing allegations in Kenya
The link, Omukoto, is serving a four-year FIFA ban for involving himself in acts of manipulating and fixing a game in 2019. He was banned alongside Ugandan player George Mandela who was banned for life from taking part in any football-related activities.
The suspects, Russian Akhiad Kubiev, Ugandan Bernard Navendi and Kenyan Martin Munga Mutua were arrested after being set up by former footballer Festo Omukoto, and seven Nairobi City Stars players.
Posta Rangers’ head coach, John Kamau, insisted that the teams needed to exercise more “professionalism” regardless of the situation.
“It is a cowardly thing to do, “ he said, “ I always reflect back to 2012 at Thika United, when we played Gor Mahia at City Stadium and they needed to win the game (to stand a chance of lifting the league).
However, I insisted on approaching the game in a very professional way, and that is how it should be,” he added.
Kamau further advocates for legislative amendments that will see those found guilty of match fixing significantly punished.
Ulinzi Stars’ head coach, Bernard Mwalala insists that everyone involved in football needs to earn the right to earn greener fortunes by working for it, rather than taking the shortcut route to earn a few bob.
“As a coach, you work Monday to Monday, then come to the pitch and then one odd incident ruins all your plans,” he stressed, “It hurts the players and it does not help at all,” he added.
“The players need to work hard here and then use their performances to earn the right to move to clubs that offer sustainable wages.”
Kariobangi Sharks’ head coach, William Muluya is mostly worried about the future of players caught up in these quagmires.
“As much as it is a quick gain,we need to urge the fact that whoever is instigating this needs to consider the future of these players,” he said, “We have players who have been suspended for 4 years or more- which is a long time- that has to be considered”
Muluya shared Kamau’s sentiments to push for legislative action to help curb the situation
“I look forward to the day when a bill passed in parliament condoning match fixing( through strict penalties to culprits) will be passed and become a law!”
FKF is currently investigating 17 individuals due match fixing allegations. The federation has suspended them from taking part in any football activity in the country.
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