The integrity of African football is increasingly under scrutiny as evidence of match manipulation rises, revealing vulnerabilities in current systems designed to uphold fairness in the sport.
Moses Swaibu, a former professional footballer and the founder and CEO of GC360, a sports integrity technology company, shares his insights: "I speak from experience. I was a professional footballer who was recruited, and then I did the recruiting. I know how the grooming works because I did it."
Swaibu has worked with organizations such as FIFA, UEFA, the FA, the Premier League, and the PFA on integrity education. He stresses caution regarding the interpretation of statistics on suspicious activities. "Rising alert volumes do not automatically mean rising manipulation. They often mean monitoring is getting better," he notes.
"What we can say with confidence is that the infrastructure to detect manipulation is strengthening in Africa faster than the infrastructure to prevent it," Swaibu adds. He also warns that the syndicates targeting African football are not merely local; they are sophisticated international networks that understand the marketplace.
In June 2024, a multi-match-fixing investigation led by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) resulted in the provisional suspension of 13 individuals, including 10 referees, two football administrators, and one player. The probe, with FIFA's assistance, uncovered a syndicate based in South Africa that allegedly interfered with seven matches played in Uganda's men’s second division and women’s football from October to November 2023. FUFA's legal manager, Denis Lukambi, reported that 99% of these incidents were linked to betting activities, both locally and internationally.
Following this, FIFA imposed sanctions on seven Ugandans who had already faced domestic penalties, with five players receiving five-year bans and two referees banned for a decade. FUFA's efforts against match manipulation continued in November 2024, when its Ethics and Disciplinary Committee sanctioned an additional 12 individuals in connection with a foreign betting syndicate. This included one lifetime ban, alongside others ranging from one to ten years.
By June 2026, FUFA's investigations had resulted in findings against four players and a club administrator for manipulating a match between Lugazi FC and Buhimba United Saints, ending in a score of 5-2. Former player Feni Ali received a lifetime ban for facilitating dealings between players and match-fixers.
Swaibu emphasizes that financial vulnerability is the main entry point for fixers. "The entry point is always the same. It is not greed. It is financial vulnerability," he explains, noting that those struggling economically, such as players or referees, are more susceptible to manipulation.
He compares the situation in Africa to his experiences in England: match-fixing is often more prevalent in lower divisions, as seen in a 2024 case in Burundi where six players and a director received five-year bans after accepting payments far exceeding their usual salaries for deliberately poor performance. President of Burundi's competition committee, Yussuf Mossi, raised the question about the feasibility of turning down payments that could be tenfold one’s salary.
In Mali, the Malian Football Federation (FEMAFOOT) is currently looking into integrity issues surrounding a Ligue 1 match from June 10 between Afrique Football Elite and AS Korofina, having referred the matter to its Independent Ethics Commission for investigation. As of now, there have been no allegations of manipulation against any involved parties.
Meanwhile, Kenya is pushing for reforms to strengthen its laws against match-fixing. The Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, sponsored by Irene Mayaka, passed the National Assembly on August 19. If enacted, it would amend the Sports Act 2013 to broaden the definition of manipulation and impose penalties including fines and prison terms.
This bill aims to integrate criminal and sports disciplinary measures, allowing authorities to impose sanctions on clubs involved in match manipulation. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations would share the responsibility for investigating alongside sports organizations, but the bill still requires public input and presidential approval.
Concerns regarding match integrity in Kenya escalated after FIFA, in May 2025, found the Kenyan club Muhoroni Youth guilty of involvement in match manipulation. Swaibu points out that FIFA's actions included banning players in connection with an international conspiracy. The Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis claimed that match-fixing had reached various levels within Kenyan football.
Patrick Korir, the chief executive of Nairobi City Stars, acknowledged the proposed changes but cautioned that legislation alone would not suffice in combating match manipulation. "There are clubs that have actually shut down because of this vice. Nairobi City Stars is just at the edge of whether to continue or just stop playing because there is no safe space for the investment," he remarked.
Swaibu noted that efforts are also being made to address financial issues that contribute to match-fixing, such as the Football Federation's initiative to settle salary arrears for match officials, illustrating a preventative measure against manipulation.
The challenges faced by African football reflect global trends, as cross-border betting networks and the ease of online gambling complicate integrity issues. Countries like Uganda and Mali are taking strides to address these matters through local disciplinary actions, while Kenya contemplates further criminal legislation.
Swaibu warns that a manipulated match diminishes trust across the entire football ecosystem, impacting leagues, broadcasters, sponsors, and bettors who rely on authentic competition. With rising betting volumes in Africa, the imperative to protect the sport increases.
He asserts that integrity monitoring should become a standard aspect of licensing in Africa rather than a secondary consideration. Swaibu concluded by stating, "Africa is a priority market for us. The growth is real, the vulnerability is real and the infrastructure that protects players at the point of approach is what is missing. That is the gap we exist to close."
