•The stalwart, who led the Brewers to back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021, said he has found it more difficult to train his charges without a specific goal in mind.
•Matano spoke even as the new Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba organized a meeting with all the Kenya Premier League clubs.
Tusker FC head coach, Robert Matano has expressed his dismay at the continued postponement of the Kenya Premier League action.
The stalwart, who led the Brewers to back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021, said he has found it more difficult to train his charges without a specific goal in mind.
"It's hard to prepare a team when you know you're not going to play in the tournament and you're struggling like everyone else without a solid plan," Matano said.
"But we must take care of ourselves and keep ourselves in shape. Players should stay alert and wait for any possible move. But you can't plan well because you don't know who you will play the most," he added.
Matano said the long delay could affect the quality of his team's players who are interested in winning their third title in a row.
"I am not the only one affected by this. It has affected the whole team because as I told you, we lack match fitness, we lack match preparation, and we lack focus.
"We don't know when we will play and which team we will meet. It means you can't motivate yourself. Normally, you train while getting in shape for a competition. But if the routine is to practice day after day without any competition, it becomes frustrating," Matano said.
Matano said despite being stuck in the current crisis, they should continue training because they are on the payroll of their sponsors.
"We don't have an option other than to train every day even if there is no competition because we are at work and that is what we are paid to do.
"We have to continue training, nothing more. We'll put our heads together and expect a better turn of events.
Matano spoke even as the new Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba organized a meeting with all the Kenya Premier League clubs.
KPL chief executive officer Jack Oguda wrote a letter on Tuesday asking the clubs to honour the meeting with the CS on Thursday.
"In consultation with the chairman, you are invited to a meeting with the Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts Hon. Ababu Namwamba EGH on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at the National Library of Kenya Services/Main Library on Ngong Rd, Nairobi from 11:00 PM,” the letter read in part.
"The provisional agenda is to discuss the state of Kenyan football and address the way forward. Please confirm your attendance at the meeting by email or SMS.
"This comes a few days after Namwamba held a meeting with the sacked Football Kenya Federation (FKF) leaders, including president Nick Mwendwa and CEO Barry Owino. Namwamba also called the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino during the meeting.