Two aspiring Kenyan footballers have safely returned home after spending months stranded, homeless and without income in Indonesia after allegedly falling victim to a fake football agent who promised them professional contracts that never existed.
The case has renewed concerns over fraudulent football intermediaries targeting young African players desperate to secure opportunities abroad.
Here is everything we know about the incident.
Who are the players?
The victims are Brian Andaje and Sunday Adam Majimbo, two Kenyan footballers who travelled to Indonesia believing they had secured an opportunity to sign for professional clubs.
Instead, they arrived to discover no clubs were expecting them.
According to the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO), communication with the man who arranged their trip gradually became limited before eventually stopping completely.
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How did the alleged scam happen?
The players travelled to Indonesia in December 2025 after a man posing as a football intermediary allegedly promised to secure contracts with local clubs.
They were assured that clubs were waiting to sign them immediately upon arrival. That never happened.
Without contracts, salaries or accommodation, both players were left without a source of income and eventually found themselves sleeping on the streets.
FIFPRO said they survived largely through support from relatives, friends and members of local communities while moving between temporary shelters.
How were they rescued?
The breakthrough came after the players travelled from Bali to Jakarta, hoping to find organizations that could help them return home.
The Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) contacted its Indonesian counterpart, the Indonesian Professional Footballers Association (APPI), which quickly stepped in.
APPI covered the players’ immediate accommodation and daily living expenses, while the Kenyan Embassy in Jakarta later provided housing during the final weeks before they returned home.
The coordinated effort also involved the players’ families and Kenyan authorities.
What did the players say?
Looking back on the ordeal, Andaje thanked those who helped save them.
“During one of the most difficult periods of our lives, APPI stood by us with genuine care and compassion. They didn’t just help us solve our problems they gave us hope when we had almost lost it.”
Majimbo described the support as unforgettable.
“This experience reminded us that there are still people and organisations that truly care about the wellbeing of footballers.”
Why is this case significant?
According to FIFPRO, the incident highlights the growing problem of fake football agents targeting African players seeking careers overseas.
In 2023, FIFPRO Africa partnered with the Didier Drogba Foundation and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to raise awareness about football related scams across the continent.
The organization’s survey of 263 professional male and female footballers across seven African countries revealed alarming findings:
- More than 70 per cent had been approached with offers of overseas football opportunities.
- 56 per cent never received the promised trials.
- 44 per cent never secured the contracts they had been promised.
The figures is a clear sign of how widespread fraudulent recruitment schemes have become.
How can players protect themselves?
FIFPRO has urged footballers to:
- Verify that intermediaries are licensed by FIFA.
- Avoid paying agents before signing contracts with clubs.
- Contact their national players’ union before travelling abroad.
- Seek independent legal advice before accepting overseas opportunities.
KEFWA President James Situma said many footballers are lured by attractive offers that are never properly verified.
“Seeking advice early can make all the difference and help prevent situations like this from happening again.”
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