Harambee Stars goalie Patrick Matasi in action in a past match.(Photo/goal.com)
National soccer side Harambee Stars have pulled a rare feat by qualifying for the Cecafa senior challenge semi finals despite the odds being overwhelmingly against them.
Interestingly, the Paul Put charges pulled the shocker without conceding a single goal in their four preliminary matches.Stars beat Rwanda 2-0 before drawing blanks against Libya.They recorded another goalless draw against Zanzibar before dispatching Tanzania 1-0 to set a date with Burundi in the first semi finals on Thursday next week.
However the unsung hero in all this efforts and who nonetheless has largely been ignored is the Stars' custodian Patrick Matasi.
The Posta Rangers custodian has had to pull all manner of saves to ensure that Kenya does not suffer a premature exit from the regional tourney it is hosting and he shared what has been inspiring him to local sports website Goal.com.
"When a coach gives you an opportunity it means he trusts you and the best thing to do is to perform on the pitch.Of course my defenders have done an impressive job guarding me and that has contributed to the clean sheets", he said."As a goalkeeper,once you keep the ball from hitting the back of your net it gives you motivation to do better.I cannot talk about the Burundi match but all I can tell Kenyans is that we will give our best and aim at reaching the finals," he added.