• Full Name: Kirsten Nematandani
• Date of Birth: 15 December 1957
• Birthplace: Venda, Limpopo, South Africa
• Occupation: Football Administrator
• Known For: Former President of the South African Football Association (SAFA)
• Controversy: FIFA 5-year ban related to match-fixing scandal ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Who is Kirsten Nematandani?

Kirsten Nematandani is a South African football administrator who rose to national prominence as President of the South African Football Association (SAFA) between 2009 and 2013. He played a leadership role during South Africa’s hosting of the historic 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, his career was later marred by controversy, culminating in a five-year ban from football activities by FIFA for violations linked to match-fixing involving pre-World Cup friendly matches.

Early Life and Career

• Born on 15 December 1957 in Venda, Limpopo province.
• Started his career as a schoolteacher and sports enthusiast, deeply involved in grassroots football development.
• Rose through football structures, serving for many years as Chairperson of the SAFA Referees Committee.
• Known for advocating referees’ professionalism and supporting development programs across rural regions.

Rise to SAFA Presidency

• Elected President of SAFA in September 2009, succeeding Molefi Oliphant.
• Became the face of South African football administration leading into the 2010 FIFA World Cup — the first World Cup held on African soil.
• Oversaw SAFA operations during the final stages of World Cup preparations, a high-pressure period requiring intense coordination with FIFA and government bodies.

2010 World Cup and Match-Fixing Allegations

• In 2010, South Africa played four friendly matches against Thailand, Bulgaria, Colombia, and Guatemala as warm-up games.
• Singaporean match-fixer Wilson Perumal’s company was allowed to provide referees for these matches.
• Matches included controversial incidents:
  • Multiple disputed penalties awarded to South Africa.
  • Penalty kicks retaken under suspicious circumstances.
  • Heavy wins with questionable officiating.
• FIFA began investigating the circumstances around the match officiating appointments.

Suspension and FIFA Investigation

• In December 2012, Nematandani was suspended from his SAFA role after FIFA stated it found “compelling evidence” linking him to irregularities in organizing the matches.
• Maintained his innocence, insisting he was never properly consulted during the investigation and denying any wrongdoing.
• Publicly defended himself, saying:
  • “I have built my reputation through hard work over many years.”
  • Questioned why he would jeopardize his career by fixing friendly matches after years as referees committee chair.

FIFA Sanction and Ban

• In December 2016, FIFA’s Ethics Committee completed its investigation.
• Kirsten Nematandani was found guilty of violating:
  • Article 13: General Rules of Conduct
  • Article 15: Loyalty
  • Article 18: Duty of Disclosure, Cooperation, and Reporting
• Sanctioned with a five-year ban from all football-related activities worldwide, effective from 8 December 2016.
• Banned alongside two other officials involved in broader match-fixing networks (both receiving lifetime bans).
• The adjudication was publicly posted on FIFA’s website for transparency.

Source: Pressreader

Summary

• Kirsten Nematandani rose from grassroots football to leading SAFA during one of South Africa’s proudest sporting moments, the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
• His career was severely tarnished by match-fixing allegations related to warm-up matches before the tournament.
• Despite denying involvement, FIFA investigations led to a formal five-year ban that overshadowed his prior contributions to South African football.

Final Thoughts

Kirsten Nematandani’s story is a reminder of both the opportunities and pitfalls in sports leadership.
His role in helping South Africa showcase the 2010 FIFA World Cup remains a part of his legacy, but the later scandal and subsequent FIFA ban paint a complex picture of a leader whose achievements were ultimately undermined by controversy. His case continues to serve as a lesson in ethics, governance, and accountability within the world of football.