National soccer team, Harambee Stars first choice goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has recounted how he managed to stop Senegal’s Sadio Mane’s penalty during the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final group C game on Monday night.
Matasi saved Mane’s spot kick in the first half before Senegal scored three goals in the second half to emerge victorious.
The goalkeeper who plies his trade with St Georges Sports Club in Ethiopia has revealed how he managed to stop the Liverpool forward's penalty.
“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. 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,” Matasi is quoted by the Nation.
Kenya's number one put up a man-of-the-match performance to keep a clean sheet against Senegal in the first half but was undone by three goals in the second half with Mane scoring two goals, among them a penalty.
Kenyans are eagerly waiting for the results of the last group matches tonight, to know if Harambee Stars will proceed to the round of 16 as one of the four third-best-placed teams.