Matano and Aussems bury the hatchet after Sakaja brokers peace deal
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 09.07.26. | 16:37
It is understood that the resolution may have involved a monetary compensation, although neither party has confirmed the reports
The bitter feud between KCB FC head coach Robert Matano and Nairobi United boss Patrick Aussems has finally come to an end after a reconciliation meeting brokered by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
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Sakaja, who is also the patron of Nairobi United, brought the two veteran tacticians together in a move aimed at ending one of the FKF Premier League's most public coaching disputes.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to put their differences behind them and focus on the upcoming 2026/27 season.
The settlement marks the end of a dispute that dates back to 2023 during Aussems' stint at AFC Leopards.
The fallout is understood to have begun after AFC Leopards suffered a 1-0 defeat to Mathare United at Nyayo Stadium. Following the match, Matano, a club legend and member, entered the Leopards dressing room to address the players.
The move reportedly angered Aussems, who felt his authority had been undermined, and also created friction between the Belgian coach and the club's then team manager, Albert Wesonga.
Relations between the two deteriorated further after AFC Leopards lost 1-0 to Tusker FC in April 2023, when Matano was in charge of the Brewers. In a post-match social media statement, Aussems congratulated Tusker before taking a swipe at Matano.
"Unfortunately, we have been punished at the last minute due to lack of aggressiveness! Congrats to the players of Tusker FC.
Of course I won't talk about an old coach with no international experience who is more a juju man than a tactician... one could learn!"
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The remarks prompted Matano to instruct his lawyers, Wambilianga, Majani & Associates, to institute defamation proceedings, demanding an unconditional apology and its publication, arguing that the comments had damaged his reputation despite his successful coaching career in Kenya and the region.
The case, however, stalled after Aussems resigned as AFC Leopards head coach and left the country without filing a defence, leaving the matter unresolved for more than three years.
When Aussems returned to Kenya to take charge of Nairobi United, Matano indicated that he intended to revive the case, insisting the matter remained active and that his return would make it easier to pursue the legal process to its conclusion.
Instead, the dispute has now been resolved out of court following Sakaja's intervention.
Although the terms of the agreement have not been made public, details of the settlement remain scanty. It is, however, understood that the resolution may have involved monetary compensation, although neither party has confirmed the reports.
The reconciliation clears the way for both coaches to concentrate on football, with Matano preparing KCB FC for the new FKF Premier League campaign while Aussems begins a new chapter at Nairobi United.