Boniface Omondi, the former head coach of Mathare United, has accused some of the club’s players of being outright sellouts and involved in match-fixing that led to the team’s poor performance and his resignation.
In an interview with the star, Omondi expressed shock that a number of his players conspired to lose matches despite his frantic attempts to remedy the situation. He changed his training methods and team game plan after ten matches, but he decided to end his contract for the team’s sake.
Omondi furiously ripped into Lennox Oguttu and Alphonse Ndonye, two players who were suspended by the local governing body on match-fixing charges.
He claimed that they cost him his job and expressed sadness at the fact that they were involved in match-fixing, which resulted in the team losing and conceding more than three goals in each game played.
The duo’s suspension has added a new dimension to the ongoing Football Kenya Federation’s match-fixing investigations. Both players are, subsequently, barred from attending or competing in any football competitions with immediate effect.
“FKF wishes to inform your good office that it has opened investigations into the allegations touching on both players and requests you furnish the FKF Integrity Department with the official contact details inclusive of known email addresses and telephone numbers of Mr Ogutu and Mr Ndonye,” read part of the statement signed by Michael Kamure, the Head of FKF Integrity Department.
“Meanwhile in an effort to protect the integrity of the game during this investigation period, we wish to inform you that we have regrettably suspended both Mr Ogutu and Mr Ndonye from all football related activities until the matter is concluded.”
Despite the setbacks, Omondi tipped the Slum Boys to turn around their dwindling fortunes on the top-flight stage.
He is confident that the team can bounce back from their recent poor performance and succeed in future matches.
