Matasi bullish after receiving Harambee Stars call-up ahead of crunch World Cup qualifiers

FKFPL Matasi bullish after receiving Harambee Stars call-up ahead of crunch World Cup qualifiers

Mark Kinyanjui 19:24 - 12.11.2023

Goalkeeper Patrick Matasi remains confident after receiving a call-up to the Harambee Stars squad for the crunch FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Seychelles and Gabon.

Harambee Stars custodian Patrick Matasi remains confident after receiving a call-up to the squad selected by head coach Engin Firat for the upcoming fixtures against Seychelles and Gabon.

Matasi featured in the last international friendly against Russia when he came on as a 14th-minute substitute for Bryne Omondi, who is nursing a three-month leg injury after going down during the match which ended 2-2.

The former Tusker goalkeeper is set to feature as the first-choice keeper for the next two matches, but the experienced custodian looks unfazed, saying that his displays have earned him a place in the side.

“I have been in the national team for years. The coach knows what I can do for the team and for the nation, which is why he gave me another call-up," said Matasi.

“Now, we are focusing on the qualifiers before we get back to league action, which means that it has been a good showing that has earned me the call-up.”

Meanwhile, Matasi believes the win over Ulinzi Stars on Friday could prove monumental in the law enforcers’ quest for the title this season.

“It was a good game. If you look at how we had prepared ourselves for this game, we really wanted a win,” Matasi said.

“It was a good win for us because it is a derby where both teams have always had to settle for the draw each and every day. We wanted to make sure we had to win at all costs, and you saw that we got a win.

“If you look keenly, you cannot really talk about anything else. The thing is, we are taking it a game at a time. We have played three games and only gotten one point, meaning if we can take this to our next matches, it will be good.

“It is a marathon. We have only played 11 games.”

Follow our WhatsApp channel for more sports news and analysis.