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Matano takes charge of Leopards against Bandari
What you need to know:
- This will be Matano’s first match since his appointment was made official on Monday afternoon.
- Matano has taken over the reins at the club for the next six months as they search for a coach.
Experienced coach Robert Matano will Saturday afternoon stand at the touchline to guide AFC Leopards against Bandari in a SportPesa premier League match to be staged at the Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa.
This will be Matano’s first match since his appointment was made official on Monday afternoon, taking over from coach Dorian Marin who quit after just two weeks in charge.
Assistant coach Tom Juma took charge of Leopards in last weekend’s GOtv Shield match against Nairobi Stima although Matano had been listed as coach in the team sheet.
Club Chief Executive Officer Ronald Namai however confirmed that Matano has taken over the reins at the club for the next six months as they search for a coach.
Matano is tasked with the daunting job of steering the 13-time league champions, who are lying in the bottom half of the table, back on track in the title race.
“Yes, it is a difficult job that is why they have chosen me to do it. Nobody goes into any match hoping to lose so of course I plan to win tomorrow. I am not worried about the players I have. We may be missing some players but everybody was signed to play and it is up to the players to do their best with the chances they get,” he said.
Matano was speaking about striker Gilbert Fiamenyo is on a lengthy layoff due to an ankle injury he incurred last month during the SportPesa Super Cup in Dar es Salaam. His place must now been filled by newcomers Keziron Kizito, Alexis Kitenge, Aziz Okaka or Victor Majid.
At Ruaraka grounds in Nairobi, Ulinzi Stars will be in search of redemption when they face Nakumatt. The soldiers were tossed out of the GOtv Shield tournament following an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Sony Sugar last weekend, meaning that the only silverware within their reach this season is the SPL trophy.
On Sunday, Sofapaka travel to Thika Municipal Stadium to take on Thika United.
Saturday:
Bandari v AFC Leopards (Mbaraki Sports Club, Mombasa, 3pm)
Kariobangi Sharks v Kakamega Homeboyz (Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, 3pm)
Nakumatt v Ulinzi Stars (Ruaraka Grounds, 2pm)
Mathare United v Sony Sugar (Ruaraka Grounds, 4.15pm)
Thika United v Sofapaka (Thika Sub-county Stadium, 3pm)
Sunday
Zoo Kericho v Chemelil Sugar (Kericho Green Stadium, 3pm)
