England-based Harambee Stars prospect Matazo suffers fresh injury blow
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 27.04.26. | 10:15
There was a visible sense of frustration as Matazo trudged off the pitch at The Valley, his long-awaited return ending almost as soon as it began
Harambee Stars prospect Elliot Matazo has suffered yet another injury setback, raising fresh fears that he could be facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines just as he was working his way back.
The Belgium-born midfielder, eligible to represent Kenya through his mother, was handed a start for Hull City against Charlton Athletic on Saturday in what was his first Championship appearance in 14 months.
The match also had Kenyan interest, with Matazo coming up against Harambee Stars defender Collins Sichenje.
But what should have marked a comeback quickly turned worrying.
Matazo went down injured in the 11th minute, while Sichenje was also forced off 18 minutes later, cutting short an afternoon that had promised so much.
For Matazo, the concern runs deeper. He had only just returned from a serious knee ligament injury suffered in Cardiff last February, making this latest setback particularly alarming. Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic admitted he took a risk by starting him.
“Matazo got an injury which is unbelievable as well, and we will see what the problem is with his knee,” Jakirovic said in an interview with the Hull Daily Mail.
The Croatian confirmed the issue is with Matazo’s right knee, the opposite one to his previous ACL injury, with an MRI scan set to determine the extent of the damage.
“He feels like it’s not like the previous injury, ACL, but we will see after the scan. He’s disappointed, obviously, because he’s waited so long to make this appearance.”
There was a visible sense of frustration as Matazo trudged off the pitch at The Valley, his long-awaited return ending almost as soon as it began.
Jakirovic defended his decision, pointing to limited options in midfield.
“My decision was very easy. We have him, we have Regan Slater, it’s better for him to start Matazo and then Slater can come later,” he explained.
While there is slight optimism from Matazo himself that the injury may not be as serious as his previous one, the timing and nature of yet another knee problem will inevitably spark concern over his fitness and the possibility of another extended absence.
With Amir Hadziahmetovic and Toby Collyer ruled out for the season, and Darko Gyabi only just returning from injury, Hull were short on options in the middle of the park.
