Newly appointed Fountain Gate FC head coach Robert Matano is confident of turning the team into a fully competitive outfit as he starts his tenure with a date against Premier League leaders Simba SC at home on Thursday.

The highly successful tactician left Sofapaka to join Fountain Gate last month and will make his debut with the club in the duel against Wekundu wa Msimbazi.

Speaking to Telecomasia.net ahead of the game, the coach says he is chuffed at the meet up against Simba and will prepare his side to go for victory.

“I am excited for this game. I am known as ‘The Lion’ and I am meeting Simba (Lions) so it will be an interesting and entertaining match. I have been watching Simba for many years and I have had my friends coach there as well and I love watching them to. So it is a team I know really well. It is going to be a tough match. They are a big team and we respect them, but we are also ready to defend our home turf and get a good result,” Matano said ahead of the big game.

Fountain Gate is currently placed sixth in the standings and had lost all their last three matches. They brought in the experienced Matano, to turn them into a competitive outfit.

Matano, in the interview with Telecomasia, remains confident the team will finish the season in a strong position.

“I have been with the team for three weeks now and we have worked hard to try and improve in every department. There are goals and targets we have set for ourselves and I am confident that by the time we come to the end of the season, we will be in a better place where the team can be proud of,” added the coach.