Soccer Interviews
Exclusive: Sofapaka Coach Robert Matano Keen at Nurturing Talent as he Plans Retirement
Sofapaka head coach Robert Matano, nearing retirement, expresses joy in developing young players and reflects on a controversial draw against Police FC, calling out officiating decisions.
Credit: Tusker Media
Sofapaka head coach Robert Matano says that seeing young players develop under his wings gives him joy as he nears exit from the touchline.
The experienced gaffer who took over reigns at the club from Zedekiah Otieno “Zico” at the beginning of the season endured a rough start with Sofapaka before steadying the ship.
Batoto ba Mungu have now gone four matches unbeaten and the latest 1-1 draw against a very experienced Police FC side ensured that they stayed in ninth position on the log.
POOR OFFICIATING
The match against Police was not just entertaining but one that witnessed incidences of poor officiating and a red card flashed to Abud Omar for violent conduct.
The former Tusker FC tactician said that his side was denied victory during the match but was still happy with the efforts put by his youngsters.
“We feel cheated today because we were the better side throughout the match. The referee denied us victory but all the same, I am happy with the boys’ overall performance,” he told SportsBoom.co.za.
My team really did well against Police FC that has very experienced player while we have only Hum (Humphrey Mieno) as the most experienced player in the team.
Robert Matano
WINNER RULED OUT
Sofapaka thought they had the winner deep into stoppage time, but the referee ruled out the goal for offside, a decision that not only shocked the entire stadium, but the Sofapaka bench that had already stormed the pitch in celebration.
Matano said,” The goal should have stood, there was no point of calling for offside over what was very obvious,”
“Police came into the match with a physical mentality, they wanted to bully us but we were very ready for anythin today, even the referee tried to help them but we had the mental strength to withstand all that,” he added.
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