Matasi: I Am Ready To Stop Mane, Mahrez At The AFCON Finals

18th June 2019 - by Louis Kalinga

The St. Georges SC custodian is however confident he has what it takes to put on a good show during the tournament and is eager to go up against some of Africa’s finest

SUMMARY

Harambee Stars number one Patrick Matasi is relishing the prospect of going up against the biggest names in African football during the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt
Matasi will lead from the back as Kenya feature in the 24-team continental showpiece for the first time in 15 years from June 21 – July 19
Stars are set to jet out of France today (Tuesday) enroute to Cairo, following the conclusion of a 17-day training camp in preparation for the finals

NAIROBI, Kenya- Harambee Stars number one Patrick Matasi is relishing the prospect of going up against the biggest names in African football during the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Matasi will lead from the back as Kenya feature in the 24-team continental showpiece for the first time in 15 years from June 21 – July 19.

Matasi has largely been the Frenchman’s stopper of choice since being appointed Kenya boss in May 2018, and ought to be the national side’s Number One when they take to the field in their first match against Algeria.

The St. Georges SC custodian is however confident he has what it takes to put on a good show during the tournament and is eager to go up against some of Africa’s finest.

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“If you look at the group we are in, there are big players and nations like Senegal and Algeria that we have to go up against but we have to remain confident.

“The game is only 90 minutes and each team has 11 players so there is no reason that we can’t win,” he stated.

“A player like Mane is a UEFA Champions League winner and that is a huge motivation for me. If I’m able to stop him from scoring against us, it means we are just as capable as every other team.

“Mahrez is an EPL winner as well and defending against such players means I have to put in more effort for my country,” Matasi continued.

His goalkeeping has recently been under scrutiny after a horror show in the Stars’ final Nations Cup qualifier against the Black Stars of Ghana.

Matasi also made a mistake in the last AFCON warm-up friendly match against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday, June 15 in Madrid.

Kashiwa Reysol FC striker Michael Olunga put Kenya ahead but a goalkeeping error allowed Arthur Masuaku to get a late equalizer for a final 1-1 draw.

“We cannot dwell on the past, we have to focus on the future.

“Mistakes happen on the field and especially for goalkeepers but that is at the farthest corner of my mind, this is a huge opportunity for us and we have to make it count,” Matasi offered.

Kenya are in Group C alongside Africa’s top ranked team Senegal, North Africans Algeria and East African neighbours Tanzania.

It’s arguably the youngest squad that Kenya has ever taken to the continental tournament and all eyes will be on head coach Migne as he aims to take Stars past the group stages for the first time in history.

“It’s been too long since we have been at the finals and I want to give it my all and be among the best.

“Everyone has to realize that Kenya is a strong team, we are not pushovers.

“I urge all the fans back home to support us fully and expect a good show from us, as we show what we are made of in this tournament,” Matasi concluded.

Stars are set to jet out of France today (Tuesday) enroute to Cairo, following the conclusion of a 17-day training camp in preparation for the finals.