Why ex-Homeboyz coach Nkata faces a potential life ban
What you need to know:
- "We received a complaint from Homeboyz and have written back requesting for more evidence. If there is incriminating evidence, I can assure you these people will not in any way be involved in our league matches," warned KPL CEO Oguda.
- The trio were accused by Homeboyz owner Cleophas Shimanyula of receiving cash to influence outcome of top-flight matches pitting the Kakamega-based team versus Sony Sugar and Mathare United.
Football authorities in Kenya say they will slap ex-Kakamega Homeboyz coach Paul Nkata his assistant Hamza Kalani and player George Mandela with lifetime ban if there is proof they fixed SportPesa Premier League matches.
"We received a complaint from Homeboyz and have written back requesting for more evidence. If there is incriminating evidence, I can assure you these people will not in any way be involved in our league matches," warned KPL CEO Jack Oguda.
FKF spokesperson Barry Otieno said: "The federation has a zero tolerance on match fixing and will ensure that persons found to have been involved in the same are dealt with as is provided by the football statues and laws of the land."
The trio were accused by Homeboyz owner Cleophas Shimanyula of receiving cash to influence outcome of top-flight matches pitting the Kakamega-based team versus Sony Sugar and Mathare United.
Homeboyz lost the matches 1-2 and 2-3 respectively. Homeboyz chief executive Bernard Shitiabayi reported the matter to the Police and also logged complaints at Football Kenya Federation and the Kenyan Premier League.
"Shitabayi recorded a statement on claims of bribery by the coach to players and now we are waiting for him to bring concrete evidence on the same before we take action," explained Kakamega OCS Godana Mohammed.
On Wednesday, a fuming Shimanyula insisted - for the second day running - that the trio has engaged in the vice leading to his team's recent poor run in the competition. Ahead of last evening's comprehensive win against Bandari, Homeboyz were winless in five competitive outings.
"Six players who have confessed," charged the prominent Kakamega businessman. "The ring leaders used Sh1.5 million to influence the matches (in question). Each player was offered between Sh50,000 and Sh200,000."
In a related development, Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa says the vice could destroy Kenyan football. "For sometime I have witnessed players in the league behaving in a strange manner,” he said.
