Matano: I don’t respect Zamalek history, we are going for the kill

Tusker FC coach Robert Matano intsructs his players during morning training session at Nyayo national stadium on Friday 15, 2021 ahead of their first-round Caf Champions League clash against Zamalek of Egypt on Saturday 16, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Tusker coach Robert Matano says he doesn’t care about Zamalek SC’s impressive history ahead of today’s first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round at Nyayo National Stadium.

Instead the three-time FKF Premier League title winners will go for the kill as he feels the Egyptian giants are beatable.

“Zamalek is a good team but they are beatable,” Matano told Standard Sports.

“I don’t care about their records. A name cannot  scare me. I go with the current situation. 

“As Matano, I believe in myself, I have made my players to believe they can play and win the match,” he said.

The no nonsense tactician has said a draw is not in his vocabulary as they go for the task ahead.

He insisted his side is not in the African premier football championships as underdogs but as big guns who are ready to cause an upset.

He said his charges have had great training in the last three weeks which has made them fit physically, mentally and tactically.

Save defensive midfielder Teddy Osok, who picked an injury during their first round match against Arta Solar 7 of Djibouti, the for former Sofapaka and AFC Leopards coach said all the other players are fit and ready for the match.  Matano believes home advantage, including the conducive weather and familiarisation of the pitch will play a big role in determining the result.

“Our target is to qualify and proceed to the CAF group stages, and it is very possible,” he said.

Matano further says his players are very motivated to beat the five time African champions.

“No matter how good they are, we are ready to fight and win,” said Matano.

“We have done it before, we are going to do it. We have been winning and will maintain that streak. We are ready for Zamalek tomorrow.” In order to register positive results in the return leg in the North African, Tusker will send an advance party to Cairo today to prepare the way for the team ahead of the return leg next week.