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Matasi reveals his wife’s intervention prompted his failed move to Gor Mahia
19th September, 2026 05:50 PM
Patrick Matasi has opened up that he was close to joining the Kenyan champions, Gor Mahia, from arch-rivals AFC Leopards before his wife torpedoed the move at the last minute.
Speaking during an interview released on Friday, September 18, 2026, the former Kenyan goalkeeper disclosed that he had his mind set on joining the current Kenyan Premier League reigning champions, K’Ogalo, before a late move by his partner saw him move to Tusker instead.
Made my mind up
“I was a free agent after leaving Posta and was going to join Gor Mahia after getting my release letter from Posta Rangers, and was very close to the move. I had already made up my mind,” he explained.
“My wife was against the move, and it happened that she got hold of my release letter. She went with it to Tusker. I tried to reach her to no avail. She finally picked up while at Ruaraka [Tusker’s training base]. She argued that since I had played for Leopards, I should not move to Gor Mahia.”
Matano’s influence
In the tell-all interview, Matasi also explained why he highly regards coach Robert ‘the Lion’ Matano, the veteran gaffer whom he credits for shaping and instilling in him the mentality to win.
Matano is the coach I admire the most. I affectionately refer to him as Mzae. He coaches his team to win. not just to play: He can motivate you and make you do anything for his team. He made 18 clean sheets in 24 matches, conceding only six goals in the process,” he added.
The revelation comes after the former international custodian also revealed how he came about to earn his first national team call-up, despite his young age and relative inexperience.
The former Kenyan international shared on his rocky start to his first meaningful professional contract at AFC Leopards before staying for almost six months without an appearance in competitive action for the club.
“The team was then under Robert Matano, who was very demanding, but I managed to come to the standards despite enduring tough first four months,”
“I finally got my chance after Tiema got an injury. Coach Koops then deemed me as too young for a starter. It is true I was still young then and had the youthful vigour.
“I later saved Pascal Ochieng’s penalty, which I pushed to the post, and we earned a draw. Next was Sofapaka, which we won. The next assignment was outside the country: we played Simba SC, and just that way I earned Koops first choice as keeper,” he said on his run up to his amide call for Harambee Stars.
