African football is increasingly pressured to enhance its measures against match manipulation, as numerous disciplinary cases and revelations about organized networks reveal vulnerabilities in current integrity frameworks.
Moses Swaibu, a former professional footballer and the founder and CEO of sports integrity technology firm GC360, shared 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," he said.
Swaibu, whose work on integrity education has included collaborations with organizations such as FIFA, UEFA, and the Premier League, emphasized the need for caution with suspicious activity statistics. "Rising alert volumes do not automatically mean rising manipulation. They often mean monitoring is getting better," he stated. "What we can say with confidence is that the infrastructure to detect manipulation is strengthening in Africa faster than the infrastructure to prevent it."
Moreover, Swaibu highlighted that the syndicates targeting African football are not merely local opportunists; they are sophisticated international groups knowledgeable about the market.
Concerns about organized crime surfaced in Uganda in June 2024, when the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) provisionally suspended 13 individuals linked to a suspected multi-match-fixing scheme involving 10 referees, two football officials, and one player. FUFA’s investigation, aided by FIFA, identified a syndicate based in South Africa that allegedly approached referees, players, and administrators, targeting seven matches between October and November 2023 across Uganda’s men’s second division and women’s football.
Dennis Lukambi, FUFA's legal manager, stated that 99% of identified fixing activities were related to betting, with money being placed both locally and internationally. Consequently, FIFA extended worldwide sanctions against seven Ugandans, five players receiving five-year bans and two referees sanctioned for ten years.
In November 2024, FUFA's Ethics and Disciplinary Committee issued sanctions against another 12 individuals involved in a fraud scheme connected to an international betting syndicate, with penalties varying from one-year bans to a lifetime ban for one individual. The pursuit of justice continued into 2026, with four players and a club administrator found guilty of manipulating a match in the Uganda Premier League, resulting in a lifetime ban for former player Feni Ali, identified as an intermediary between players and fixers.
Financial vulnerability emerged as a critical entry point for match fixers, according to Swaibu. "The entry point is always the same. It is not greed; it is financial vulnerability," he explained. He noted that it is easier to recruit individuals struggling to pay basic living costs than to sway those seeking luxury items.
Swaibu reflected on the patterns he observed during his career in England, noting that while the top divisions may attract the most scrutiny, lower divisions, women’s leagues, and youth competitions often bear the brunt of manipulation. He highlighted the 2024 case in Uganda and used Burundi as an example where players were incentivized with payments exceeding their salaries, leading to severe disciplinary actions against involved individuals.
Mali is also grappling with integrity issues. On 10 June, the Malian Football Federation (FEMAFOOT) referred a Ligue 1 match between Afrique Football Elite and AS Korofina to its Independent Ethics Commission due to concerns regarding the match's integrity, though no conclusions of manipulation had been made against any parties involved.
In Kenya, legislative efforts are underway to combat match-fixing with the introduction of the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Sponsored by Irene Mayaka, the bill, passed by the National Assembly on 19 August, aims to amend the Sports Act 2013 to define manipulation comprehensively. If enacted, the legislation would impose penalties including fines up to 10 million KSh and imprisonment for up to five years for those found guilty.
Relevant sports organizations will continue to have their disciplinary powers, capable of enforcing suspensions and bans on violators. Additionally, clubs involved in manipulation may face forfeiture of match outcomes. The bill is currently under scrutiny in the Senate and requires further legislative processes before it becomes law.
This initiative follows ongoing integrity concerns in Kenyan football, highlighted by FIFA's findings in May 2025 regarding the Muhoroni Youth club's involvement in match manipulation. Swaibu noted that FIFA has banned players linked to what they describe as an international conspiracy, further emphasizing the depth of the issue that has permeated various levels of Kenyan football.
Patrick Korir, CEO of Nairobi City Stars, acknowledged the need for reforms but cautioned that legislation alone won't eradicate match manipulation. "There are clubs that have actually shut down because of this vice. Nairobi City Stars is at the edge of whether to continue or just stop playing because there's no safe space for investment," Korir said.
In response to the crisis, the president of the Kenya Football Federation, Hussein Mohammed, has initiated efforts to address financial issues, ensuring timely payments for match officials to eliminate excuses for potential manipulation. Swaibu pointed out, "If you are not paying your referees, you are not protecting your competition."
The challenges surrounding match manipulation are not confined to African football. Cross-border betting networks and technological advancements pose integrity challenges globally. Nevertheless, some progress is being made; Uganda continues with its disciplinary measures, Mali is engaging through independent ethics reviews, and Kenya is working towards criminal penalties.
Swaibu summarized the ramifications of a tampered match, stating that it undermines confidence across the entire market dependent on genuine competition. As betting volumes in Africa increase, safeguarding integrity becomes paramount. "Integrity has to be a formal component of licensing across the continent, not an optional add-on," he emphasized, calling for proactive measures in market development instead of reactive solutions.
Suspicious betting patterns can cross borders almost instantly, while it often takes months or years to conclude disciplinary and legal proceedings. The challenge remains for African sports to ensure legislative bodies and sports organizations can adapt and respond effectively.
