Patrick Matasi during a previous match// Photo Courtesy.
Harambee Stars and Kenya Police goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, has revealed reasons behind his fallout with national team’s head coach Engin First.
It is reported that the coach denied the star a chance to play with Harambe Stars in the recent season.
In an emotional mood, the 36-year-old custodian did not hide anything concerning what he said to Firat, leaking the mistrust and tension that came over them.
He attacked the coach and told him of the coach’s intentions to kill his career.
“I told him the truth: ‘Coach, I know what you have done, you want to finish up my career with this match,’’ said Matasi.
Matasi was angered by the fact that the coach used un experienced players leaving him extensively in the bench.
“Why are you taking your weapons to the bench then starting with the small boys, who can’t even handle the pressure?”
During the matches of Harambee Stars against Zimbabwe and Namibia in a race to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Matasi was left out.
As a result, he insulted Firat for having used a weak team which brought a loss of 4 to Cameroon in Doula during the group J fixture. He confirmed that he was fit and ready for the games, but to his surprise, his name was missing from the squad.
“I deserved to play against Zimbabwe and against Namibia, but I don’t know what came through Firat’s head,” claimed Matasi, adding that, “He told me I came to the camp relaxed. I asked him, ‘Coach, if you see me relaxed, call me out and tell me what to do. Don’t just keep quiet and bench me.’ But he didn’t do that.”
Patrick Matasi was really on form showing good performance before the AFCON qualifying games could be played, having conceded only two goals in eight matches while keeping clean sheets.
However, no matter how good his performance was, Firat still denied him a chance to play in crucial games like playing a first leg against South Africa where Harambe Stars went 2-0 down.
Matasi was was also left out in favuor of Bryne Omondi, as Kenya lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the second leg played at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Uganda, bringing the tension to a breaking point.
Reviewing his good moments, Matasi was proud of his achievements, despite not being acknowledged.
”I produced a clean sheet against Ivory Coast in Malawi’. I thought I had proven myself, unfortunately it wasn’t seen, Firat had decided,” exclaimed the keeper.
He has, nonetheless, confirmed that he will not relent to show his prowess, admitting that he hopes things will turn out positive.
”Despite all these, am still active and I have no problem with him avoiding me. The same happened to Ian Otieno and he came back, so I’ll keep fighting,” he declared.
