Matasi's stardom: From rags to the saints.

Harambee Stars Goalkeepers Patrick Matasi, (left), Farouk Shikalo and Joash Ochieng at Kasarani stadium when Kenya beat Ethiopia 3-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Cup Group F qualifier on Sunday to move closer to a place in next year’s finals in Cameroon. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenyan international Patrick Matasi has termed his move to join Ethiopian Premier League giants St. Georges from Tusker as a dream come true.

The former AFC Leopards, Posta Rangers and West Kenya goalkeeper was unveiled as a St. Georges shot-stopper on Thursday in Addis Ababa after signing a lucrative three year deal with the club.

The move comes barely five months after the 30 years old keeper, who has kept four consecutive clean sheets for national team Harambee Stars including the recent back-to-back 2019 AFCON qualifiers against the Walya Antelopes, joined the 11-time Kenyan champions from Posta Rangers.

Matasi has been signed as a replacement for Ugandan international Robert Odongkara, who has switched his allegiance to Adama Ketema.

Though this is not the greatest rags-to-stardom story of them all, Matasi's rise to prominence is an inspiring tale quite opposite of his name's meaning in Luhya (rags).

He becomes the second Kenyan keeper to play in Ethiopia after former Sofapaka and KCB custodian Zachary Onyango who plied his trade with Ethiopia Coffee in 2012.

Matasi is now a St. Georges player [Courtesy]

"This is a dream come true, a great move at the right time. You can't imagine how delighted I am. I knew my time of playing outside the country will come, but I didn't expect it to be this soon," Matasi told The Standard Sports after putting pen to paper.

Matasi, whose journey to professional football is quite humbling, is fully aware of the pressure associated with playing for the record Ethiopian champions.

"Of course, the expectations are high. Coming here to replace a goalkeeper of Robert Odonkara calibre, is not a mean feat but I am ready for the task. I am here to win titles, both locally and internationally. I will be doing what I have been doing at Tusker and the national team," he said.

"This move will motivate me to work harder to retain the national team's jersey as we prepare for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon."

The goalkeeper was quick to pay a glowing tribute to a number of coaches led by former AFC Leopards trainer Jan Koops, West Kenya's Fanuel Ivungwe, Tusker's Robert Matano and Rangers' duo of Sammy Omollo and Lawrence Webo for the big role they played in nurturing his career.

"I thank Jan Koops for giving me the first opportunity to play in the Kenyan Premier League and Fanuel Ivungwe for introducing me to the game. I also appreciate the efforts made by Haggai Azande, Robert Matano and Sammy Omollo and Lawrence Webo who made me a better player in one way or another," said Matasi, who has established himself as Harambee Stars' first choice keeper.

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