Photo File: Harambee Stars Coach Francis Kimanzi . | Goal.com
Harambee Stars tactician Francis Kimanzi has explained the reasons that influenced his decision to drop Harambee Stars’ first-choice goalkeeper Patrick Matasi from his squad.
Kimanzi said he harbors doubts over Matasi’s physical shape as he has only been training with AFC Leopards to maintain his fitness level. Kimanzi noted that the renowned shot-stopper has had a dip in form, something that forced him to cut him loose for the upcoming fixtures.
“Against Uganda (in another friendly last month) Matasi had a very bad game, he was not in good form and he almost cost us defeat. He has only been training with AFC Leopards to keep fit and you cannot compare his performance with Ian (Otieno) at the moment. I want to see what the other keepers can offer in the absence of Matasi” Kimanzi told Goal.com after dropping the experienced keeper from his squad to face Mozambique in an international friendly scheduled to take place in Nairobi on October 13.
Aside from Ian Otieno, other keepers called up for the task at hand are Farouk Shikalo (Yanga, TZ) and Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars).
Unfortunately, Matasi was not the only player to suffer the fate of having to watch from the stands as their fellow players don Harambee Stars jersey to represent the country. Pacy winger Ayub Timbe, Simba’s Francis Kahata, and the local-based duo of Boniface Muchiri and Michael Kibwage couldn’t make the cut.
