Ulinzi Stars head coach Robert Matano has said their poor start on the KPL second leg is not permanent.PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 1 – He is referred as ‘the Lion’ but for the last few months, Ulinzi Stars head coach Robert Matano has been unable to roar in the dugout as he is undergoing difficult moments.
Matano, one of the successful coaches in Kenya having won Kenyan Premier League titles with Sofapaka (2009) and Tusker FC (2012) is undergoing Kidney dialysis four times a week, a process that has left him drained financially.
Each dialysis cost Sh10, 800, needing him to have Sh43, 200 to undergo the four sessions a week, with the amount excluding medication.
Matano, who spoke to Capital Sport, says the process is very expensive and can’t afford to get the amount despite it being a must.
It’s from this that he is seeking financial assistance from well-wishers to enable him attend all the sessions as he is hopeful to return to coaching, something that he loves most.
“I’m stable now. I have already undergone three dialysis sessions so far and I’m expected to return to hospital on Saturday. It’s a very expensive process since I need to go four sessions a week with each needing Sh10, 800,” Matano disclosed.
“There is also money needed for medication and for the doctor so it’s a very difficult process for me. I will appreciate a lot if I will get support from well wishers to help me go through all my sessions,” Matano urged.
Ulinzi Stars head coach Robert Matano (C) visited at home by former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee (R) and former national team goal keeper Mahmoud Abbas. PHOTO/courtesy facebook.
Matano was appointed Ulinzi head coach March 2014 before his contract was renewed November last year, and the management of the team said it cannot disclose on the coach’s issue since its confidential.
“Matano is under contract with Ulinzi Stars and inside it the medical issue is there so I cannot disclose further on that because it’s confidential. It’s not only Ulinzi Stars but well wishers need to support Matano,” the club’s vice chairman Major Joel Birgen stated.
Matano, who also managed AFC Leopards, has won two East African Military Games titles with Ulinzi Stars.
