Matasi reveals trick he used to save Mane’s penalty

Despite Kenya’s 3-0 loss to Senegal in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, keeper Patrick Matasi made a series of crucial saves that kept Stars in the match.

Key among them was a superb save against Liverpool’s Sadio Mane in the first half.

Matasi, who was heavily criticized prior to the match for costly mistakes against Tanzania, went down to his right to thwart a rather tame effort from Mane.

Asked how he managed to stop one of the world’s best forwards, the Saint George keeper revealed that he looked straight into Mane’s eyes and was certain he would pull off a save.

“The moment he put the ball down and I looked in his eyes I knew where he was going to hit the ball and I saved it,” he said.

Kenya, however, conceded a second penalty in the second half and although Mane made amends for his earlier miss, Matasi almost got a fingertip to it.

“Even the second penalty, the way he stood I knew which direction he was going to place the ball. You saw, I dived in the right direction but could not reach the ball,” said Matasi.

Harambee Stars currently sits third in Group C behind Algeria and Senegal and has a slim chance of progressing to the round of 16.

The final round of group matches will take place today and a number of football powerhouses will seek to cement their places in the next round.

In Group E, Tunisia will face Mauritania knowing a win will see them through while Angola and Mali will face off in the other tie.

In Group F, Benin will meet Cameroon while Ghana will lock horns with Guinea- Bissau.