The Cost of Bribes and Match-fixing: 5 South Africa’s Biggest Soccer Scandals

Football remains one of the most beloved sports in the country, with passionate supporters backing everything from local PSL clubs to the national team, Bafana Bafana. South Africans also follow international tournaments with great enthusiasm. This shows that the beautiful game holds a special place in the nation’s heart.

However, where there is popularity and money, controversy often follows. Over the years, several shocking scandals have rocked the local game. This has tarnished its reputation. From high-level match manipulation to astonishing match scorelines, these events serve as a cautionary tale. They highlight the price of corruption in sport.

Pre-AFCON 2013 Match-Fixing Scandal

Just three years after hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa was again in the global spotlight. This time it hosted the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Originally scheduled for Libya, the tournament was relocated due to civil unrest.

While the event went ahead as planned, its lead-up was overshadowed by serious match-fixing allegations. These involved the South African Football Association (SAFA). Key officials were accused of conspiring with well-known match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal. Their goal was to manipulate results of pre-tournament friendlies.

Two matches – against Guatemala and Colombia in May 2010 – stood out. The refereeing was suspicious, with multiple questionable penalties awarded to South Africa. The match official in both games, Ibrahim Chaibou, had a history of controversial decisions. He also had links to Perumal. Although the players were cleared, the incident led to major resignations at SAFA. It remains a dark chapter in local football history.

2010 World Cup Bribery Claims

The 2010 FIFA World Cup was a defining moment for football on the continent. While it was a celebration of African talent and culture, years later it faced scrutiny over the bidding process.

In 2015, American authorities alleged that South African officials paid a $10 million bribe to secure the tournament. Former sports minister Fikile Mbalula dismissed the accusations. However, they put a spotlight on Danny Jordaan, a key figure in SA football. Though he denied wrongdoing, his name continued to surface in other controversies.

2022 Lifetime Bans for Four Clubs

Arguably one of the most bizarre scandals came in 2022, when four amateur clubs—Shivulani Dangerous Tigers, Kotoko Happy Boys, Nsami Mighty Birds, and Matiyasi FC—were banned for life. This was due to deliberate match-fixing in the SAFA Mopani League.

The scandal erupted after Matiyasi beat Nsami Mighty Birds 59-1, including 41 own goals. In another match, Dangerous Tigers thrashed Kotoko Happy Boys 33-1. The motive was to manipulate promotion outcomes. Investigations revealed that players and referees had worked together to skew results. This resulted in long-term suspensions for club officials and match officials alike.

Danny Jordaan’s Fraud Charges

In 2024, Danny Jordaan was once again in the headlines—this time for alleged financial misconduct. Authorities charged him with using over R1.3 million in SAFA funds for personal use, including hiring private security and PR services.

He was arrested after a Special Investigations Unit inquiry. While theft charges were later dropped, he still faces fraud allegations. His fall from grace is a striking example of how trust can quickly erode in the face of corruption.

Banyana Banyana’s World Cup Boycott in 2023

In the lead-up to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the country’s national women’s team, Banyana Banyana, refused to participate in a warm-up match. This was due to lack of contractual clarity and unpaid bonuses.

The standoff highlighted ongoing gender inequality in football funding and support. With help from billionaire Patrice Motsepe, who contributed over R5.8 million in total, the team eventually travelled to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. His intervention helped ease tensions, but the incident exposed deeper structural issues facing women’s football in the country.

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These incidents underscore the damaging effects of corruption and inequality in South African football. While the sport continues to grow, there is a critical need for transparency, accountability, and fair treatment of all athletes. The passion of local fans deserves a game that upholds the principles of honesty and respect.