 Inatis ababa remember in place for St. George and the Ethiopian League was annaled over coronavirus pandemic that has engulfed the global world sport included and therefore it can't play, he trains in isolation and of course let's speak to Matras himself, of course he's played locally for several clubs, because the danger saves in Leinfad, Stasca and now overseas with St. George. Matras, good afternoon, good to speak to you man. VP, are you safe? I'm safe. How is the life in Ethiopia in isolation? You are used to playing football, training with friends, with team-mates now that coronavirus pandemic is here with us people in quarantine people are in isolation. How is the experience? I know it's boring but what do you make of that kind of life cycle? My friend is now like three months, it's so much boring because we played our last match around 10th. Up to now my friend we have not played any match or training so I'm just in the house, it's so much boring but what shall we do? We have just to take the precautions because it's not easy. It is, what it is, isn't it? Talk to us about Ethiopia and Liga has been the experience in terms of acclimatizing to the new league coming from Kenyan Premier League set up joining overseas with St. George Ethiopia. I remember before the league was announced it was tied on the log. How is the experience like? Have you acclimatized to the new environment and new set up? Right now things are okay because if you compare my first season here in Ethiopia it was somehow difficult in terms of settling here. If I can't remember the first time when I came here we were living in clubhouse so things are not okay because we used to eat what is there in terms of males and movement. But the second season was from October last year we were given a house so now the life is good, have acclimatized well and things are okay because right now I can make my own food and enjoy the life in the house now. I remember interviewing you some time back when you were playing for the poster rangers and you indicated that you are very positive, very ambitious of playing overseas. Do you think that your dream is on the verge of being true now that you are in Ethiopian league and probably looking forward spreading your wings a little bit further to other nations as well overseas? Yeah if I can remember it was February 2018 when we did an interview with you. So I had an ambition of playing professional football so if you look at the way my craft has risen from 2011 when I started playing up to now. For me I can say it's a positive thing because I was looking forward to play professional football and now right now I'm here so I'm still going on and my ambition is too high. Wao that's good to hear. Before you forget I know you are missing back home in Kenya and your family, how is it like staying away from your family, understand you also have a 4 year old man in terms of communication. Has it been very easy trying to get in touch with your family back home in Kenya? Yeah that's the only thing I have to do in terms of talking to my family, my son is now 5 months and every time I talk to them we do a video call, every time I see him growing and body changes every time. So for me that's the only way I can communicate to them through video but now I can't see them because of this virus. But I'm looking forward for the president to come up and at least give us 3, 4, 5 days so that we can fly back home and deal with our family. But it's not easy over here. It's not easy over there, of course we shall be looking forward to see whether that comes to pass probably on June. After this session of movement of people in and outside Nairobi probably there will be good news of him opening up so that you can travel to check on your family. Let's talk football now in terms of the comparison and contrasts Ethiopian League and Kenyan Premier League. Kenyan Premier League is more of a physique in terms of running. If you look at the pre-season of Kenyan teams it's more running and power play but in Ethiopia it's of bold moves first, tactics are too high. So here in Ethiopia people love playing football. It was not easy for me to cope with it but when I came from Kenya we used to play power play football but right now here in Ethiopia it's more tactic. So if you compare with the Kenyan League it's a bit different. Kenyan is more physique so we are strong in Kenya and we love moving in the field in terms of running. But here in Ethiopia they want the ball to move very fast. Back home. Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwenwa suspended the league indefinitely. Therefore Gormaya were declared champions because of coronavirus pandemic. A situation that has also been seen overseas but in Ethiopia it was annulled which means there would be no champion, there would be no promotion and relegation. Before that annullment you were sitting third on the log, St. George. Probably do you think your efforts are wasted and your dream of probably helping your team win the league has gone into a waste? You know everything happens and when you make a decision there is always positive and negative side of it. For example here in Ethiopia this season the second leg we had played only two matches and the number one and number two we were facing them at home. In fact the next two matches we were facing them at home. So we were looking forward if we could have won that two matches we would go back on top. So for me I can say that here the league was annulled and it was a good decision yes because of the healthy and the health of the fans and the players. And also the negative side is that we were looking forward to win the trophy because St. George has gone for two seasons without winning a trophy. So we were looking forward to win the trophy but for me what I can say is what the federation did was they made a precautionaire then they sent them to the 16 teams. After that every team came up with what they were thinking about the league. After collecting the information from all the teams they came up and then they said okay if this is what the teams have decided then have just to nullify the team. No winner, no relegation, no representative in craft competitions. So for me I think if you look at the way the virus was spreading it was a good decision in terms of fans and players because it's just a match of time. Like four or five months and then we come back to the field. So why should they risk the life of fans and players? So for me I think they did a very good decision. Let the assignment in Egypt during African Cup of Nations where Kenya the national team Arambestaz participated getting eliminated at the group stage but they managed to beat Tanzania and losing to two teams at the pool stage that managed to lock horns against each other in the final. That is Senegal and Algeria. So how was the experience like especially saving that penalty from Sadio Mane and being the East African to save a penalty sport kick from a champions league winner. When you were playing against Senegal? I don't know if you followed my interview with Kenokaka in France, when we were in pre-season there before we went to Egypt. He asked me about the penalty saves I've been making in terms of when I'm in the field. So I told him no problem one day maybe Senegal can get a penalty then Mane can take it. So what if I save it? So Mane has been a champions league winner. So it was a good gesture for me in terms of saving that penalty because you see Mane had come from winning the champions league and when he came to Egypt I went through YouTube and then I saw the other players lapping for him. So when they got the penalty I said no problem this one can be one of the penalties that I've been saving and definitely I did it. So for me as a player it was a plus and in fact I was very happy in terms of saving that penalty. From a champions league winner it was not easy. You are very happy saving a penalty from Sadio Mane but in terms of general experience I know the feeling outside this world despite the fact that you lost that particular game by Trini. I was watching and where I was watching from Kenyans who are very jubilant of you. But in terms of the continental exposure has it been of much impact to you career wise? It is. If you look at the way I've been playing in national team since 2017 match when I played my first match in Machakos, the Fredya Genes student. It has been of good gap in terms of improvement. So every time I play for national team there is an improvement because it was my first time to play Saqafa. We won the Saqafa senior challenge and then after that we went to Africa Cup of Nation. It was a good curve in terms of experience and being the first time it was not easy for all of us because nobody had played that big stage. So it was a good experience for all the players in the pickleball range and all the Kenyans so that we know what to do there. If we can just put our heads together and try to put things into good preparation, early preparation. Then I think we can play the next Afghan which for me I think it will be a good experience because we have already tested that Africa Cup of Nation. So that experience is there and that's why I'm here itself in me too much in playing here in Ethiopia League. So a few questions coming in. Of course I'm Gita. I don't know whether it's Kenyatta University along Thika Road is asking your career high, your lowest moment since you started playing football. Another one here, Tom Mochil from Langata asking about the clarifications of financial embezzlement by federation during African Cup of Nations. Of course it is something that has been talked about locally. Victor Onyama the captain, your assistant also spoke, put things into clarification. We've also spoken to president of FKF but those are the questions you will be tackling as we continue. First of all respond to some Gita who wants to know your career high and the lowest moment since you started playing football. First of all, what are you proud of since you started playing football? The highest moment of your career? Winning the Golden Glove twice and then Kenyan Premier League infact Golden Gloves twice and then winning the Golden Glove Zekafasina Challenge and play of the tournament. And then also taking the nation to African Cup of Nations. That's one of my best moments of my career. Lowest moment somebody never want to say them but you see if for the sake of the viewer Tom Mochil you will have to respond your career low. It came when we were playing against Taskar in City Stadium that was Go TV. When I was in FC Leipas I was almost giving up in terms of playing soccer. After serving the FC Leipas fraternity we were playing against Taskar at Go TV. We were leaving Tunil. So immediately they started turning matati must go. But we came back and we won that game. I gave one of the assists. In fact it was not an assist but it was an on goal from one of the Taskar players. So after the game I was very low in terms of how the fans talk to me. They were turning matati must go. Half time when I went to dressing room I just changed. And then I gave out the uniform to kid manager of saying that I'm not going back to the field second half. But through Machin Musalia he told me my friend let's go back to the field and we play. But finally won that game. I had not even cried when I was playing in FC Leipas. But that time my friend it was one of my lowest moments. But it happens. That's why I'm strong. It is what it is. You have been following about your career. Joseph Aura from Mumias is saying that he thought the lowest moment of Patrick Matasi is that blanda that costed Kenya while playing against Ghana in qualification and DRC Congo in friendly. I don't know. It seems people have been passionate about your career. Do you remember that? I do. I do remember. Yes, how was it like? For me I can say every cool keeper my friend. We are the last ones to make sure that the ball doesn't go past us. But what I can say is that there are so many goalkeepers in the world. I normally follow them but sometimes you can have a good match. But the other day you don't have a good match. But what I can say is those are some of the moments that normally happen in the field. And those are some of the learning curves for me. When I make this mistake and then next time I have to change it. So for me that's not my bad moment in the field. It looked like when they were playing past five minutes. He made a mistake along Kaminsari. Then he went away around three or four months. But he came back and played. By the way, having watched European football, even World Cup, several high profile goalkeepers have made mistakes. Fika Kasias, Jel Madri, Gyan Lugi Buffon at Juventus, David Deher at Man United and talking about these greatest custodians that have graced, you know, world football. Whom do you draw inspiration from? Whiz you are meant for goalkeeping wise? I was following a mancetic goalkeeper before he moved away with your heart that time. Then when he moved from Man City, his career somehow came down. He went to Bani. No, he went to learn culture. I can't remember, but... He left City for a Middle Table Club. So you were following up his career, then what happened? Then after that coach came in, when he came to Man City, things changed. So I had to change and shift my role model to somebody else who is a big fort, you know, the England goalkeeper. Because if you look at the way he normally plays in terms of positioning, long kick, communication, he's endurance, you know. They say the goalkeepers are crazy, but we are not crazy. So I was trying to follow what he normally do in the field. But I've been following him and Edison, the mancetic goalkeeper. Every time when I'm watching the game, I always observe what they are doing in the field. So for me, I don't have a specific one, but I watch every goalkeeper, what he does. And at the end of the game, what helped his team to come up with the win or lose or a growth, you know. I was talking about Jordan Pickford. He's the goalkeeper for the team. I support England, also known as 3 Lions. And he did exceptional well during the World Cup, helping England to get to the semifinal stage of the World Cup in Russia getting eliminated by Croatia. So I think and you read from the same script over that. Now let's get to the political part of football. I was reading some article penned by my good friend Timoth. Olobulu of Capital FM. And I think you were journey in football and the people you appreciate, you quoted John Coops at A.C. Leipards. He gave you a chance, he believed in you. And also you gave a lot of credit to the current president, Nick Mwenwa, for helping you, believing in you. I don't know, starting with John Coops. What did he do? You know, for me it has not been an easy journey. John Coops just came in, but I think he's the one who gave me that opportunity or chance to play Kenyan Premier League. I had played the NSL in West Kenya, but I always celebrated Panili Bunga, the man who came home and took me for my words. And he gave me that chance to play when I was in West Kenya after my high school. But after that NSL season in West Kenya, when I signed for FC Leipards in 2011, I was in FC Leipards for six months without playing. I was only training. That time I was working with Agai Azande. Now the current Kolkipa train of Pascal. I was telling my friend to have a future. Just keep on working and time will come. And that time FC Leipards came and changed the management in terms of coaching staff. So Azeshu was told to quit and then they probing Mamed Fuaia. So that time the coach was John Coops and Kolkipa trainer was Fuaia. We were just making the home up before the game against poster angels in Nairo National Stadium and it was under flat rise. So immediately my fellow Kolkipa team got an injury and then I was getting that chance. After playing that game, we drew nail nail. Next game we beat Sapaaka. Next game we went to Tanzania for a friendly match. When we came back, Coops said I'm now the number one Kolkipa FC Leipards. So for me John Coops believed in me. If he couldn't believe in me they could have just said after Tema was okay after the injury he could come up back and play. So for me John Coops played a very big role in terms of my career coming from NSL still young boys to play Kenyan Premier League in terms of a big league in Kenya. So I celebrate him because he's the one who made me to be where I am. How about Puneota Zdan for you? I've been in national team since 2011. 2011 I've been going to national team, my train, after the squad is out I'm out, I go back home. I can say Nygmenwa under his leadership in terms of FF president. They have turned a lot to the players in terms of supporting talents. I normally say under his leadership that's why I played for national team because most of the time when the coach come up with the squad I'm there but Nygmanagement for me they have tried in terms of making sure that the Kenyan players are having good environment in terms of coaching in terms of louses, in terms of logistics in terms of equipment for me I can say it's better if you compare with that time when I said going to national team. So for me I can say under his regime that's why I'm here. And talking positive of him of course it might raise suspicion during national team selection of players do you agree with those that were saying that probably the squad get compromised? It's based on merits especially just before African Cup of Nations in Egypt there are people who believe that there are those names that deserved getting included but they didn't get an opportunity and they were omitted. Do you think there is compromise in terms of selection criteria of our ambassadors now that you are an assistant captain and you can speak from that aspect of seniority in the team? My brother want to tell you something. Yes. When even if it's me I'm the coach of the national team I'll have my own principles as the coach I'll say if I take Matasi to be my goalkeeper I know that he can do this for the team and then maybe there is another goalkeeper who has different qualities than mine. So if the coach is making decision in terms of selections we are not there. We don't know why he picked this player and then he left the other player because every player has his own strong point and weak point. So if the coach has made decision of he wants you to be in this in the team then he will leave me out. So there is no need this coach there is a biasness in the team now. For example if it's me I'm good in aerial ball I'm good in communication I'm good in this and this there is another goalkeeper who is good in communication years but aerial ball is not good in terms of distribution Every player has his own quality and strong point So that's why when you see the coach making the selections they always based on the quality of the player weak point and the strong point of the player. So for me I can say it's the work of the coach even if it's me when I'm the coach I look for those things I can't just wake up and come up with a squad without knowing what I'm going to do So Tom Ojela dasked some question over reports of financial impropriety during African cup of nations in Egypt 244 million had been allocated for the national team and deputy president also of course part of the money that he had given to the national team and Victor Anyama spoke to Madgo TV and he said that 12 million went to FK for administrative purposes then 38 for playing unit but it seems like there is dissenting opinion in the playing unit because Abudomar the left back had also spoken something contrary to what What am I saying Put things into perspective What happened? What the captain said it was true before the money came the team manager the coaching staff and the FKF official they sat down and then they said we want this this and this and this to happen in terms of finance for me I can say that even if it's a club even here in St. George we won a trophy but we can't say that we have to take the whole money in terms of sharing there is that percent that went to the team and there is that percent that came to claim stuff so when that money came they said in terms of logistics they said this money will go to logistic purposes and then this money will go to players and that's what we agreed on so for me I can say that the bonuses that the federation gave the players in terms of preparation in terms of bonuses when we are going to Afgan they did their best because sharing that money to players in terms of logistics for me I think they did the best thing even if have been given for me let's say for example I got I was the best player for Seqafa or let me just say Kenyan Premier League Golden Glove Winner there is money that we were given my friend I can't take that money then I just go with it home I run to my rural home to make my own things there and then I come back and then I expect things to be the same in the team it can't happen so what I did I took percent of that money I gave to my poster players and technical bench why just to say thank you for what you did to me that's why I got this award it was not mine it was for the team so that unity should be there so about the money that the captain talked about that's what we agreed as the player and the technical bench plus the separation bosses alright so thanks for putting things into perspective now where are you heading to after you were stint in Ethiopian Premier League with St. George are you looking forward seeing yourself overseas with another equally high profile club right now I'm still under contract with St. George and if there is any any offer that is coming up I can't just rush to make a decision they have to follow the right channel they contact St. George because I still have one season with them and if my contract has elapsed then there is somebody who wants to work with me for me I have no problem I'll have to sit down with them if they come up with a good offer then I'll have to go if St. George is giving me a more offer than that team then I'll have to stay cause right now I'm used to the environment of Ethiopia in terms of movement playing I'm now coping up with the environment but if there is any anybody who is coming up with a good offer I'll have just to go your thoughts and opinion with regard to state of Africa and football we've seen some clubs winning calf champions league calf confederations time and again the likes of Orlando Pirates kaisa chips in South Africa which have dominated the sperons of Tunisia Lahili in Egypt do you think African football is getting to some level it's growing for me the football in Africa is somehow growing cause if you compare the competition right now is very high it's not about not Africa teams that always win the calf matches or calf trophies if you look at the competition right now there is no big team no big nation it can be a small team small nation but different players players are there to handle the ball no matter how much or how old is the nation in terms of football so for me I think African football is now growing to good direction Africa is growing and getting to another level of course it's a pleasure speaking to you Patrick Matasi as we wind up maybe your message to the upcoming crop of footballers what do you tell them what should they do I know discipline is key humility as well but in terms of ensuring that they get to another level career wise in terms of playing football what's your words of advice to them for me what I can say is that no matter how hard you are working just pray continue pushing you never know when and what time it will come because you can work hard today but it won't pay tomorrow but after one month it will pay so never give up for me I've been working very hard and finally it came now it's now paying so what I can tell the young players is that just work hard do extra don't just wait for the coach to give you what he has and then you go home if you go home try to do something else in terms of what's my weakness what's my strong point if I have this weakness then work on it while you are home so just be disciplined hard work, self support then pray then always be ambitious on what you want also yesterday Nick Munda speaking on one of the local TV stations and I remember interviewing him during his campaign so when he wanted to get elected the president prior to 2016 he said that his intention was to help the national team secure qualification to work up that's a global showpiece that comes with fanfare one of the most prestigious actually the most prestigious global competition and he says that Kenya Rambestaz come what may you play in Qatar come 2022 World Cup are you of the same view and are you hoping being there now that you've indicated that you are prayerful of course God is paramount and he's key he helps us so much, he gives us health are you looking for being there also being in the national team in case the team qualifies my brother that's a very big stage worldwide so I think for me I've tested the alphabet of nation I think we just plan very well 2021 we have to play again after Cup of Nation then after that we still have a chance to play World Cup and that's why I said everything happens with a reason if we plan very well and we do it in good time I think we still have that time we have to play in Qatar because we have that qualities in Kenya all is a pleasure speaking to you Matasi say hi to the guy in the background and of course keep self continue training and keeping feet and ensuring that you follow the laid down protocols put in place by WHO to ensure that we combat this pandemic of course we shall overcome is indeed the case it is thank you Matasi goalkeeper for the national team Arambestaz speaking to us exclusively this particular afternoon via zoom live from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia of course he plays for St George a team that participates in Ethiopian League remember their league was annulled over coronavirus pandemic they were still tied on the log and Matasi was very optimistic that he will help his team secure the title crown but of course looking forward to blistering performance going forward that brings us to the end the national team Patrick Matasi we are going to take a short break up next we are coming with another interesting conversation revolving around sports fitness considering that this is the time for coronavirus pandemic players are isolated just like Matasi in their rooms no training no mingling with team mates and they have to get proper hygiene if they have to keep feet going forward I have seen the medical physiotherapist Felix Okuru already in studio alongside Charles Nderangu he is a physician expert they will be putting things into perspective for us don't go away stay tuned it is the touchline