Ahead of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup, hosts South Africa have been hit after their FA president Kirsten Nematandani has been suspended over match fixing allegations.
According to Starafrica.com, Kirsten and three other SAFA officials that include the association’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Denis Mumble were involved in pre-2010 World Cup friendly match fixing which Bafana Bafana played against Bulgaria, Guatemala, Thailand and Columbia.
A Fifa investigation into the activity of convicted Singaporean match-fixer Wilson Perumal and his Football 4U organisation highlighted the involvement of the five South African officials, South African authorities told a press conference on Monday morning.
Sources further indicate that the match fixing was meant to benefit Betting Syndicate an Asian betting firm.
It remains to be seen whether the crisis won’t affect Bafana Bafana’s preparations for AFCON 2013 and the tournament in general.
South Africa is in group A alongside Morocco, Angola and minnows Cape Verde.