FKF to engage FIFA experts in Homeboyz match-fixing probe

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa has warned that match-fixing cases will be on rise as long as betting companies continue to spring up unchecked.

In a phone interview with Citizen Digital from France, the FKF boss said they are  engaging world football governing body FIFA to come up with stiff measures on how to curb the vice.

His sentiments come barely days after former Kakamega Homeboyz  sacked head coach Paul Nkata in connection to the vice.

“Betting is here to stay that is for sure and match fixing cases will be more in the near future if the laid rules by FIFA will not be followed to the letter. This is a syndicated issue and those involved have networks with betting firms worldwide so we should not think it is local firms who might be involved alone,” charged Mwendwa.

The FKF supremo said they have given Kakamega Homeboyz until Thursday to produce concrete evidence against the Ugandan tactician before his body forms up a committee to look into the matter.

Mwendwa added that they will engage FIFA experts to deal with the case, warning that life ban is the most severe punishment for those found culpable.

Immediate former Kakamega Homeboyz head coach Paul Nkata instructs his charges against AFC Leopards SC during their Kenyan Premier League match at the Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega County on December 15, 2018. Kakamega Homeboyz Won 3-0. Photo/Kelly Ayodi/Sportpicha/Citizen

“Since they (Kakamega Homeboyz) said they have enough evidence, we have given them seven days to file a report to FKF so that we can take up the matter,”he said adding: “We must involve FIFA experts so that when the culprits are punished they will never get involved in football matters elsewhere outside Kenya,” he averred.

Nkata who has since gone AWOL after the allegations were made public by club boss Cleophas Shimanyula, is believed to be in hiding in his native country Uganda.

Shimanyula has accused the Ugandan coach of receiving cash to influence outcome of top tier league matches pitting the Kakamega-based team versus Mathare United and Sony Sugar.

According to Shimanyula, Nkata was colluding with his assistant Hamza Kalani and player George Mandela . In the matches of interest, Homeboyz lost 3-2 and 2-1 respectively.

Mwendwa is in France to scout for suitable camps for the national team Harambee Stars who will be pitching camp in the European nation in May ahead of  the 2019 African Cup of Nations finals to be hosted in Cairo, Egypt.

Kakamega Homeboyz celebrates scoring during their Kenyan Premier League match against Sofapaka FC at the Mumias Sports Complex in Kakamega on July 17, 2016. The match ended 1-1. Photo/Tabitha Otwori/www.sportpicha.com
Kakamega Homeboyz celebrates scoring during their Kenyan Premier League match against Sofapaka FC at the Mumias Sports Complex in Kakamega on July 17, 2016. The match ended 1-1. Photo/Tabitha Otwori/Sportpicha/ Citizen.

“AFCON is the biggest highlight in Africa football  and we want to prepare well before the kick off, that’s why I’m in France but I won’t reveal much about that,” he said.

Stars, for the first time in 15 years, will battle it out for the continental honours in Egypt when Africa’s premier football show gets underway in June.

Tags:

Nick Mwendwa Football Kenya Federation Kakamega Homeboyz betting Cleophas Shimanyula probe Match-fixing FIFA experts Paul Nkata

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