Former Tusker FC Captain Finally Speaks on Robert Matano 'Juju' Claims

Eugene Asike has finally addressed the long-standing rumour that coach Robert Matano relied on black magic to succeed at Tusker FC.

Eugene Asike, who captained the Brewers under Robert Matano, spoke publicly for the first time about the claims first raised by AFC Leopards coach Patrick Aussems after a 1-0 loss to Tusker in 2023.

In a widely circulated post, Patrick Aussems hinted that Matano was “more a juju man than a tactician,” suggesting Tusker’s victories were guided by something other than football strategy.

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Robert Matano hit back immediately, strongly rejecting the allegations. The seasoned coach, known for his tough stance and pride in his methods, called Patrick Aussems’ claims nothing more than denial after a fair defeat, insisting his team’s success was earned “fair and square.”

Eugene Asike explained that although the rumour had circulated many times, Robert Matano never involved him in anything of the sort during his time as captain.

He said the coach referred to such talk as mind games and insisted that performance came from proper training.

The Harambee Stars defender added that if supernatural powers were truly responsible for their wins, then the team would have had no reason to train at all.

“We would have been staying at home from Monday to Friday, and then show up on Saturday and play. I believe in how you prepare and train for a match, that is how you will play, that is how things go,” Eugene Asike added in an interview on the Tiki Taka Show.

“I know there have been stories about that, but if you believe in that, no problem. I go to church, so I don’t believe in such things. It is there in football, in South Africa and Tanzania, I’ve seen them, and I know they will never end.”

Eugene Asike noted that some players believe rituals are necessary for them to perform well. He explained that while such practices exist in Kenya, they are more common in other countries, such as Tanzania, where he has personally seen them.

The former Harambee Stars defender recounted an incident during a tournament in which the team, not from Kenya, returned to camp, and a woman who was on her period was brought in, and the players were expected to walk underneath her.

He said he refused to participate. Eugene Asike added that in some teams, players who do not take part in such rituals are left out of matches, and even jerseys are sometimes restricted and not allowed to be taken home.

“Some people believe that having such things is the only way they can play well. In Tanzania, I have witnessed that it is there in Kenya, but not that much. So many teams do that outside of this country,” he added.

“There was a time during a tournament when we returned to camp, and a woman on her period was brought in, and we were expected to walk underneath her. I refused.

“In some teams, if you don’t participate in such rituals, you’re benched. Even our jerseys are sometimes restricted and not allowed to be taken home.”

Despite the widespread rumours and the existence of similar practices elsewhere in African football, Eugene Asike maintains that Tusker’s success under Matano was built on hard work, discipline and preparation, not superstition.