Ulinzi Stars coach Matano cries for help

Ulinzi FC's Coach Robert Matano during their Sportpesa Premier League against Tusker FC at Kenyatta Stadium Machakos on saturday, Feb 20, 2016. PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD.

Ulinzi Stars coach Robert Matano is ailing and in need of financial assistance to meet his rising medical bills.

Matano was rushed to Coptic Hospital on Sunday evening after his kidney started failing and was immediately put on dialysis.

Though he was discharged on Monday, the coach said he is still weak and has to undergo at least four sessions of dialysis every week before his condition stabilises.

Matano said the sessions are very expensive and beyond his financial ability and has therefore asked for assistance from well-wishers to help him get well.

"I have been unwell since the team returned home from the military games held in Rwanda, which we won. On Sunday, I was rushed to hospital and immediately put on dialysis as my kidneys were failing. For each session I need Sh10,600, which means that for the next four sessions, I will require more than Sh40,000. I cannot afford this huge cost and I plead with well-wishers to assist me," he said.

The Ulinzi Stars coach remains bed-ridden at home as he cannot move on his own. In Matano's absence, the soldiers have so far played two matches, drawing 0-0 against Posta Rangers in a league fixture and blasting Chemelil Sugar 3-1 in a GOtv shield fixture.

Elsewhere, AFC Leopards coach Ivan Minnaert has blamed off-pitch problems for the team's huge loss to Western Stima during the Gotv second round match.

The coach said: "Last week our preparations were very bad and the match was therefore a reflection of what we went through. It's time to sit down with the management and see what went wrong with the aim of correcting it."