After Cheating Deaƫh, Goalkeeper Patrick Matasi Shining Again

When Patrick Matasi and his family were involved in a road accidént in June 2021, many thought it was over. That his stellar football career had come to an abrupt end, and that life would never be the same again. However, eight months later, Matasi is back at the game, doing what he loves, and keeping clean sheets for Tusker FC. He is yet to concede a goal in seven games in a row – Matasi is shining again!

He re-joined the Ruaraka-based club this season after recovering from the accidént. The gruesome accidént which happened along the Nakuru-Kapsabet highway, left his son and wife in need of surgery. He sustained injùries that he shook off and got back to training after one month. And thankfully, they both recovered.

The former AFC Leopards shót-stopper says it has been a journey of one day at a time. He did not expect to be back on his feet that soon. “It was indeed a trying moment for me and my family.  Seeing my little boy and my wife in so much pain and in hospital was very tough for me. We encouraged each other to be strong as a family but I feared for the worst. God has been faithful. We for sure cheated déath,” recalls Matasi.

Patrick Matasi, however, gave himself hope that he will come back stronger both at club and national levels.  After getting out of the hospital, he started self-training before a chance dawned on him to re-join Tusker FC.

The Harambee Stars Goalkeeper joined the brewers at their struggling moment having started the 2021/2022 season on a low note that saw them stay at the bottom half of the table for the better part of the first leg.

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“Coming back to Tusker gave me great pleasure. It actually played a big role in my healing. A team giving you a chance after such a case is rare. They gave me enough time to heal and also for my family to heal not to mention the massive support from the whole team,” stated Matasi.

With his main focus being to work hard and help the team attain its target, his recent form has turned around Tusker’s fortunes. “I joined a great team which has achieved a lot. They are the defending champions. I have to work and fight to defend the badge of the club,” added the goalkeeper.

He says:  “At Tusker we take a game at a time because we aim to pick three points in every match. Though we still have some tough opponents like Gor Mahia home and away, two matches against KCB and a game against leaders Kakamega Homeboyz. It’s for us to ensure we collect maximum points in every game. ”

His main aim now is to break his previous record of seven clean sheets in a row. “In 2012 while at AFC Leopards I recorded seven clean sheets in a row and my target is to break that during our next match against Police FC.”

Many will remember him for saving a penalty from Liverpool’s winger Sadio Mane during the 2019 AFCON Group C match. This was momentous for Patrick Matasi.

Born and raised in Kakamega County, Matasi started his career at West Sugar FC before joining Kenya Premier League giants AFC Leopards where he proved his prowess as a goalkeeper. He later joined Posta Rangers, Tusker FC and in October 2018, signed a three-year contract with Ethiopian Premier League club Saint George.

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He says he still has a chance to show his goalkeeping prowess to the world. “I want to play another AFCON before retiring, that’s my vision. I got some good skills at Saint George despite not getting enough playing time. I am still young and I have never given up on my career. I believe I will play in the big leagues.”

Like every Kenyan now, Matasi is worried about the recent FIFA suspension which has dealt a huge blòw to Kenyan football, especially on the international scene.

“The international ban is here with us and we as players are the most affected,” Matasi said. Thankfully the league wasn’t affected but I hope the ministry and the involved bodies will find a way out of it soon. The league coming to an end in June and I believe we have agents who have been monitoring some of the players and this may close some doors for us. We need those international matches to showcase our talents.”

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