Harambee Stars goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has spoken out for the first time since his costly error led to Kenya’s defeat against Iran in an international friendly match last week.
Matasi was at fault for the winning goal, as he spilled a shot by Ramin Rezaeian in the 85th minute, allowing Iran to secure a 2-1 victory over Kenya. The experienced custodian had done well throughout the match with several timely clearances and saves but his mistake proved costly.
Speaking to his social media pages, Matasi expressed his disappointment over the mistake that cost his team the game. He admitted that he was still bothered by what had happened and needed time to get over it.
“I am still bothered by what happened in that match and not ready to give a comment at this time. I need time to get over it and then I can speak,” Matasi said.
Despite the loss, the Harambee Stars skipper Michael Olunga managed to fire the team ahead in the 50th minute with a left-footed shot.
However, Iran’s Mohammad Mohebbi and Ramin Rezaeian scored in the 76th and 85th minutes respectively to secure their team’s victory.
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat had admitted that his side, ranked 101 globally, stood no chance to upset Iran.
“In one year, we will be ready, but now we still have more work to do. We need more time to develop,” he said after the match.
However, he remained positive about his team’s performance and praised the cameo performances of new boys Daniel Anyembe and Alfred Scriven, saying they need more time to blend in with the team.
The defeat was Harambee Stars’ first match in over a year following Kenya’s suspension by FIFA due to government interference.
The team is now out of competitive football for the next eight months as they are out of the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Matasi’s blunder might have cost Kenya the game, but the team still put up a good fight against a strong Iran side. With more time to develop, Harambee Stars will be looking to bounce back and perform well in their upcoming fixtures.
