Lion-hearted Matano rallies Tusker for 'mission impossible'

Robert Matano

Tusker coach Robert Matano looks on during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match against FC Talanta at Ruaraka grounds on October 27, 2021.

Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Matano insists his bad record against North African teams will count for nothing as he has been following CS Sfaxien closely even before they were paired against Tusker in the play-offs
  • On Saturday, both teams will have a feel of the pitch at the Nyayo National Stadium with Tusker training in the morning while the Tunisians in the afternoon
  • While Tusker was relegated to the Caf Confederation Cup after the heavy loss to Zamalek, CS Sfaxien beat Nigerian Premier League side Bayelsa 5-0 on aggregate in the first round

Tusker Coach Robert ‘The Lion’ Matano is confident that he will break the jinx against North African teams when they host CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in the Caf Confederations Cup second round first leg on Sunday.

This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams. The match kicks off at 3pm at Nyayo National Stadium and Tusker Chairman Dan Aduda has confirmed a few fans will watch the game for free.

Since arriving in the country on Thursday morning, CS Sfaxien have been putting up at Serena Hotel and had two training sessions at the MISC Kasarani Annex. 

On Saturday, both teams will have a feel of the pitch at the Nyayo National Stadium with Tusker training in the morning while the Tunisians in the afternoon.

After a 5-0 aggregate loss to Zamalek SC in the first round of the Caf Champions League, Matano told Nation Sport that this time the team is well prepared and ready to upset CS Sfaxien, who are two-time Confederation Cup Champions.

“Against Zamalek, we had just signed new players and they had not gelled well that is why we lost the two matches.  This time we have prepared well and we are fully fit for the game. No injury for us with the exception of Jimmy Mbugua who is still on the path of recovery,” said the 59 years old coach.

Matano insists his bad record against North African teams will count for nothing as he has been following CS Sfaxien closely even before they were paired against Tusker in the play-offs.

“I follow many teams from North Africa and the perception that I don’t know them because Tusker has not played against them before is baseless. Football is played on the pitch, I have my tactics I will use in the game and aim for a win. Those who have ruled us out will be in for a rude shock because we are also out to win the first leg,” added the veteran coach. 

Despite the vast coaching experience, Matano has always found the going rough against teams from North Africa. He lost 2-0 to Ismaily in 2010 while in charge of Sofapaka in the Caf Champions League. He also lost 2-1 at home to Al Ahly in the same competition in 2013 while in charge of Tusker.

CS Sfaxien won the Caf Confederation Cup twice (2007 and 2008) and lost 3-2 on aggregate toFUS de Rabat of Morocco in the 2010 final.

While Tusker was relegated to the Caf Confederation Cup after the heavy loss to Zamalek, CS Sfaxien beat Nigerian Premier League side Bayelsa 5-0 on aggregate in the first round.

The winner of the two leg play-off will qualify for the group stage which comes with a Sh27 million purse.