'Instilled a Different Mentality' - Tyrone Kariuki on Finding a Father Figure in Robert Matano as He Revives His Career

Rising Stars midfielder Tyrone Kariuki has opened up about the impact of KCB Coach, Robert Matano, as he looks to bounce back to his winning ways.

The former Rainbow FC midfielder came to prominence while playing for the Kenya national team in the CECAFA U-18 Championships in 2023.

A move was planned for Tyrone Kariuki to join Croatian side HNK Hajduk Split (for their U21 team), but the deal ultimately fell through.

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However, his career was not all glamorous after he picked up a knee injury, which unfortunately caused him to miss the CECAFA U-20 AFCON Qualifiers in October 2024. Being sidelined during a critical period certainly contributed to a dip in his competitive form.

To reignite his career, Tyrone Kariuki signed with KCB FC, which he saw as the best path to regain his form and secure a spot in the Rising Stars (U-20) AFCON squad, a goal he stated was a major motivation for his choice.

Speaking after KCB FC secured a 1-0 victory over Kariobangi Sharks, Tyrone Kariuki opened up about the impact Robert Matano has had in his life and the pressure that comes with playing in the Kenya Premier League.

Tyrone Kariuki revealed that Robert Matano has helped him grow and change his mentality, and he feels like he is regaining his form.

Kariuki explained that the pressure at KCB FC is healthy, and he is embracing the changes one step at a time, maintaining his focus on his greater goal.

“The coach who is here with us, Coach Robert Matano, we respect him a lot, and he is like a father figure to us. He has instilled a different mentality in me, and he has helped me grow a lot in the past few weeks that we have been together,” Tyrone Kariuki explained.

“I hope that going forward, I will continue learning from him. The pressure has to be there because there is no easy thing, and I must admit that there is a lot of pressure. However, it is this pressure that builds someone, and I feel like that’s the thing that’s helping me bounce back.”

Despite setbacks that threatened to derail his promising career, Tyrone Kariuki’s decision to join KCB FC has given him a fresh start under the mentorship of Robert Matano.

With renewed confidence and a sharper mentality, Tyrone Kariuki is steadily finding his form again. As he sets his sights on reclaiming a spot in the Rising Stars squad, his journey serves as a reminder that with the right guidance and determination, every setback can be the foundation of a comeback.