Kenyan Premier League: Matano back at Tusker on rescue mission
Football
By
Robin Toskin
| Apr 24, 2018
Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Tusker have reached out to Robert Matano to save them from imminent relegation.
Matano was yesterday announced as head coach. He takes over from Ugandan Sam Timbe following a bad run of results.
Matano took over immediately and had his first training session yesterday, reviewing the challenge at hand reassuring that he was up to the task.
“It is great to be back at Tusker, and today, I had my first session with the players, which went well. I understand what is expected of me and I'm ready to deliver on the same. Pressure is everywhere and it is how you handle it that matters,” he said.
This is the second time Matano is handling the brewers, having come in as caretaker coach in 2011 when he led the team to win the KPL title only to be fired the following year.
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Matano, also known as the Lion, has in the past years built a reputation as a rescue coach. Last year he was brought in to help AFC Leopards survive relegation and not only did he achieve the same, but also helped the club win the GOtv shield.
He was, however, let go of two months ago and he has sued Leopards for wrongful dismissal. He has also helped Ulinzi Stars do well when he was brought on board two years ago at a time the team was sinking.
Tusker fired their entire technical bench at the weekend in the wake of a 3-1 loss to Zoo Kericho.
It was Tusker’s fifth loss of the season. The brewers have had a disastrous campaign after firing a number of key players last year and opting to recruit younger ones.
It is difficult to see how Matano will turn around the performance of the team without experienced players.
Elsewhere, a total 27 goals were scored last weekend as Gor Mahia returned to the top of the log following a 5-2 win over Thika United.
It was also the biggest win of the weekend by a Gor Mahia side that had just picked a ticket to the group stages of the Confederations Cup.
Gor Mahia now have 25 points and three matches in hand compared to second-placed Mathare United, who were beaten 1-0 by Wazito in a surprise result.
Ulinzi Stars were the other big winners after they edged out Nakumatt 3-2 in a five goal thriller. Nakumatt, who were recently bought out by a businessman, remain at the bottom of the log. [Gilbert Wandera]