Tusker goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has returned to training amid a raging transfer dispute pitting his club against topflight rivals Kenya Police.
Matasi courted trouble after absconding from training to protest Tusker's refusal to release him to join Kenya Police FC.
The law enforcers reportedly dangled a plum offer to entice the veteran Harambee Stars goalkeeper into signing a deal. Reports indicate that the deal entailed an offer to join the police service upon completing the mandatory training.
However, the brewers dug in and spurned Matasi's request to leave the club, insisting that he still had a whole year left on his contract.
On August 14, the situation turned ugly as Tusker team manager George Opondo swung into action and penned a letter instructing Matasi to show cause why his contract should not be terminated.
"Further to the show cause letter shared with you earlier, Kindly share your response with us by close of business August 13, 2022, failure to which further action will be taken against you," the letter read.
Tusker FC head coach Robert Matano has now tipped Matasi to brush the spat aside and focus on the task ahead.
“He wanted to go but sometimes in life things turn out against our wishes,” Matano said. “He has to wait for the appropriate moment. It is usually unwise to force things to happen. You'd rather exercise patience and wait for the right moment.
“I trust that with his experience and age, he can make a good decision,” Matano said.
“He has not been keen on the training of late but we are talking to him to show him he is important to us and his services are still needed here.”
Matasi's uncertainty sent Matano into the transfer market where he fished out Brian Opondo from Bidco United. Opondo joins the goalkeeping department, which also has Brian Bwire and Michael Wanjala.
The custodian was unveiled alongside six other players on Wednesday, including fullback Boniface Onyango, centreback Thomas Teka and forward Eric Mata, who joined from Kariobangi Sharks.
Others are custodian Brian Opondo acquired from Bidco United, forward Erick Otieno (Wazito), and 18-year-old David 'Daddy' Odoyo roped in from lower-tier side Green Commandos.
The brewers also promoted bulky defensive midfielder Collins 'Ngolo' Otieno, 18, from the academy side.
