African football is contending with increasing scrutiny regarding match manipulation, as ongoing disciplinary actions and concerns about organized networks reveal flaws in the current integrity systems. Moses Swaibu, founder and CEO of the sports integrity technology firm GC360 and a former professional player, emphasizes the seriousness of the issue. He states, "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, who has provided integrity education for notable organizations including FIFA, UEFA, and the FA, advises caution when interpreting statistics related to suspicious activities. He asserts, "Rising alert volumes do not automatically mean rising manipulation. They often mean monitoring is getting better," and further notes, "The infrastructure to detect manipulation is strengthening in Africa faster than the infrastructure to prevent it."
Swaibu highlights that the syndicates targeting African football are sophisticated and operate at an international level, not merely as local opportunists, saying, "They are international, sophisticated, and they understand the market."
In June 2024, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) provisionally suspended 13 individuals while probing a multi-match-fixing scheme allegedly involving 10 referees, two football administrators, and one player. FUFA reported that its inquiry, supported by FIFA, had uncovered a syndicate based in South Africa that allegedly approached referees, players, and administrators, targeting seven matches from October to November 2023 in Uganda’s men’s second division and women’s leagues.
Legal manager Denis Lukambi mentioned that 99% of the fixing activity was betting-related, with money coming from both within Uganda and abroad. Subsequently, FIFA imposed worldwide sanctions on seven Ugandans already penalized domestically. Five players received five-year bans, and two referees were banned for ten years.
In November 2024, FUFA's Ethics and Disciplinary Committee imposed sanctions on an additional 12 individuals linked to a foreign betting syndicate, with penalties ranging from one to ten years, including one lifetime ban. FUFA continued its crackdown into 2026, where four players and a club administrator were found guilty of manipulating a Uganda Premier League match that concluded with a score of 5-2. Former player Feni Ali was handed a lifetime ban for acting as an intermediary with match-fixers.
Swaibu emphasizes that financial vulnerability is a significant factor in these manipulations. He explains, "The entry point is always the same. It is not greed. It is financial vulnerability. A player or a referee who cannot pay their rent is easier to recruit than one who wants a Ferrari." He compares the situation in Africa to what he observed in England, where fixing is often seen more in lower divisions, women's leagues, and youth competitions.
Using Uganda’s case as an example, he also mentions Burundi, where six players and a director received five-year bans after underperforming for pay that was ten times their salary. Yussuf Mossi, president of Burundi’s competition committee, remarked, "if you are receiving ten times your salary, how can you not take it?"
In Mali, the Malian Football Federation (FEMAFOOT) has referred a Ligue 1 match between Afrique Football Elite and AS Korofina to its Independent Ethics Commission due to integrity concerns. FEMAFOOT has stated that evidence will be reviewed before any conclusions are drawn, and no allegations have been made against either club so far.
Meanwhile, Kenya is moving to bolster its legislation to address match-fixing. The Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, championed by Irene Mayaka, was passed by the National Assembly on August 19 and aims to revise the Sports Act 2013. It will define manipulation to encompass actions like offering undue advantages, conspiring to fix results, and insider trading for betting.
Should the bill become law, it would impose fines up to three times the involved amount or KSh10 million, along with a maximum five-year prison sentence. Relevant sports organizations would still hold the power to impose disciplinary actions such as suspensions or bans. Additionally, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations will be tasked with criminal liability investigations alongside sports disciplinary processes.
Kenyan football has faced several integrity challenges, notably with FIFA's findings in May 2025 connecting Kenyan club Muhoroni Youth to match manipulation activities. Swaibu stated that players have been banned by FIFA due to the nature of the conspiracies. Kenya’s Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis has indicated that match-fixing is permeating all levels, from grassroots to professional football.
Patrick Korir, CEO of Nairobi City Stars, acknowledged the proposed legal reforms but cautioned that legislation alone won't eradicate the issue: "There are clubs that have actually shut down because of this vice. Nairobi City Stars right now we are just at the edge whether to continue or just stop playing because there’s no safe space for the investment."
Swaibu remarked that to provide more security, Kenya Football Federation president Hussein Mohammed has prioritized clearing salary arrears for match officials: "If you are not paying your referees, you are not protecting your competition."
The challenges posed by match manipulation are not restricted to African football. Cross-border betting networks and technology that facilitate betting activities across jurisdictions are creating similar hurdles for integrity bodies worldwide.
Despite these challenges, there is progress. Uganda is employing football disciplinary procedures, Mali is addressing the issue through its ethics commission, and Kenya is contemplating criminal sanctions alongside sports penalties. Swaibu concludes that manipulated matches undermine more than just game outcomes; they erode confidence across the entire market. As betting volumes in Africa continue to rise, so does the importance of safeguarding these activities. He insists that integrity must become an integral component of licensing across Africa, a necessity rather than an optional feature.
As suspicious betting can swiftly cross borders while disciplinary and criminal actions may take considerable time, it is crucial for African sports authorities to ensure that they keep pace with evolving challenges.
