Homeboyz reintegrates embattled Matasi to team
A video that went viral on social media shows a person said to be Matasi explaining how he would help in determining a game
Kakamega Homeboyz FC goalkeeper Patrick Matasi is cleared to play again after the High Court lifted his 90 day suspension by Football Kenya Federation pending hearing and determination of a match fixing allegation against the national team player.
The move has prompted murmurs amid uncertainty over FKF’s next move with questions emerging on how it can protect football integrity. A video that went viral on social media shows a person said to be Matasi explaining how he would help in determining a game.
However, his parent club has now accepted the embattled 37-year-old back to camp with an aim of hastening him back to fitness before the case is handled further. Club Chairman Cleophas “Toto” Shimanyula who spoke to the Media stated. “I received the court order (Wednesday), and I did the effort to enquire with the court whether it was genuine. The court has responded that it is a genuine court order, and as a club that respects the rule of law in the country, we don’t have any option but to accept Matasi back in our squad.
The decision to ban Matasi was made in accordance with Section VII (2) of the FKF Anti-Match Manipulation Regulations (2016). FKF further confirmed that, in collaboration with world governing body FIFA, Confederation of African Football (CAF), and other relevant authorities, they had initiated an official investigation into the matter.
The ruling by Kakamega High Court Judge where Matasi was named as a petitioner and the Football Kenya Federation as Respondent, the court determined that the applicant was not given time to defend himself and has thereby issued a 30 day notice to FKF with a hearing date set for June 4,2025.
“The respondent has not responded to the Application nor attended court. I deem the application to be unopposed. I do issue a conservatory order restraining the Respondent whether by themselves or any person acting on the express orders of the Respondent from acting on the Respondent’s communication dated March,27,2025 that suspended the applicant Matasi from all FKF-sanctioned events and competitions pending hearing and determination of the petition.”
“The Petitioner to file and serve the main petition to the Respondent, who shall respond to the petition within 30 days from today (Tuesday, March 8th). Mention will be on 4.6.2025 for further direction.”
The viral footage, which was secretly recorded at the back of a seat by a separate party – though the exact date it was taken still remained unclear – captured Matasi, actively engaged in a conversation on how to manipulate the match in question.
