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The Nairobian

Harambee Stars goalkeeper blocks three penalties to assure hosts of tournament title

Football

By Rodgers Eshitemi | Dec 18, 2017

Harambee Stars goalkeeper Patrick Matasi during the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup yesterday at *Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]*

Kenya are this year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup winners. Their journey to the title has been akin to a roller coaster ride though.

They won four rounds of matches and drew twice. Stars even had the luxury to give away - twice- their lead against Zanzibar in yesterday’s final in Machakos before winning 3-2 on post-match penalties.

It required the heroics of Posta Rangers goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, who saved three penalties, for the hosts to lift the trophy they last won in 2013.

When he parried Issa Juma’s strike from the spot, Matasi paused for a second or two, before sprinting across the field in exhilaration. Teammates joined in.

The post-match celebrations told of a team that had been starved of taste of victory. The fans, in their thousands, Deputy President William Ruto included, were elated. They danced and hugged. Their wait was rewarded; surely, it was worthwhile.

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The friendly mien, complete with Mexican wave, made the fully packed stadium fun to be in.

“It feels really good to have won this title. It was a great effort from the boys,” said Matasi, who was voted the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and the best goalkeeper.

“There were lapses in the defence and we seemed to lose focus, but I’m glad we were able to recover in good time.” Jockins Atudo, Wesley Onguso and Samuel Onyango converted their penalties with Duncan Otieno missing his effort.

Besides ending their four-year regional title drought, Harambee Stars walked home richer after pocketing the Sh3 million prize money. Ruto added to their kitty after giving them Sh5m, while Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and his Nairobi counterpart Mike Sonko gave the triumphant team Sh1 million each.

Kenya twice threw away the lead to draw against Zanzibar in regular and extra times, with substitute Khamis Makame Mussa’s brace exposing the hosts’ defensive frailties as the match headed into the dreaded penalties.