A dramatic scene unfolded during the FKF Premier League clash between Kariobangi Sharks and Sofapaka FC after Sofapaka head coach Edward Manoah stormed onto the pitch and accused some of his players of match-fixing following the team’s fifth conceded goal.
The tense encounter carried enormous significance in the battle to avoid relegation, with Kariobangi Sharks desperately fighting to preserve their top-flight status.
Heading into the final round of fixtures, Sharks were sitting 16th on the league table with 35 points and needed a convincing victory over Sofapaka to keep their survival hopes alive. However, their fate was also dependent on results elsewhere.
Apart from winning, Kariobangi Sharks required Mathare United to drop points against Bandari FC and needed to score at least five goals to overturn an unfavourable goal difference that separated them from their relegation rivals.
As the goals continued to flow in favour of Sharks, tensions boiled over on the Sofapaka bench. After the fifth goal went in, coach Edward Manoah reportedly ran onto the field in frustration, openly accusing some of his players of deliberately underperforming and engaging in match-fixing.
The incident briefly halted the match as officials and team staff moved in to restore order.
Despite Kariobangi Sharks’ impressive performance, the result ultimately proved insufficient to secure survival. At the same time, Mathare United managed a crucial 1-0 victory over Bandari FC, a result that guaranteed their place in the FKF Premier League regardless of events elsewhere.
The dramatic scenes have since sparked widespread debate among football fans, with many calling for investigations into the coach’s allegations while others questioned the circumstances surrounding the match.
Football authorities are yet to issue an official statement regarding the accusations made during the heated relegation battle.
The incident marks one of the most controversial moments of the FKF Premier League season and is likely to attract further scrutiny in the coming days.
