In a twist of fate overshadowed by political instability, Rogers Mato has opened up about the complications surrounding his transfer to Hearts of Midlothian, citing internet outages during Uganda’s elections as a pivotal factor.
The 22-year-old winger recently moved from North Macedonian club Vardar to Hearts, but the journey was fraught with confusion. The Edinburgh club had announced a pre-contract agreement earlier this month, while Vardar asserted that they were in discussions with Sporting Kansas City for Mato’s services.
Things took a turn when Vardar reported that Mato was unaccounted for following his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. However, Mato clarified that the communication issues that arose were largely due to circumstances beyond his control.
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Rogers Mato: That Was a Difficult Moment
“I knew that my country had elections and the internet was shut down, so it was difficult to get in contact with my agent, with the coach here, the club there (Vardar),” Mato shared with the Daily Record, as he prepares for his debut against Dundee United. “I think that was the problem.”
Describing this period as particularly challenging, Mato emphasized that his decision regarding Hearts was resolute. “That was a difficult moment because I wasn’t in contact with Hearts, with my manager, with my agent, but I had already decided where I wanted to go,” he added. “This Hearts deal had been there for three months before even going for AFCON.”
Despite various interests from clubs in Spain and reported links to Trabzonspor, Mato’s focus remained solely on his new venture in Edinburgh.
“It was not only an option in America,” he remarked. “My social media was buzzing, my phone every time… I used to get like three to four agents, managers, asking about my situation. My focus was Hearts. Yeah, Kansas was there, but my focus was here.”
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As tensions heightened with Vardar attempting to exploit the situation, Mato opted to maintain a low profile in hopes of soothing the conflict.
“The noise has to be there; everyone has their own opinions,” he reflected. “Sometimes when you’re doing some things you need to be silent. If you go into the conflict, it will escalate, but if you keep it silent and low, it will be good. The noise was there, but finally we’re here and ready to go.”
After impressing with 15 goals in 17 appearances for Vardar, Mato will initially join Hearts on loan before signing a permanent three-year contract at the end of the season. He is already feeling a sense of belonging in his new environment.
“I’m happy here. I was welcomed very well by the staff, the coach, the bosses, the players as well,” he expressed. “I was pleased with the players most because when I entered the dressing room, I didn’t feel that new. I felt like an old guy. It’s like a family.”
With his future settled, Mato is eager to make his impact in Scottish football, seeing this opportunity as a crucial stepping stone.
“I’m a footballer in Scotland and I have my dreams, my future plans. Here it’s closer to the Premier League,” he stated. “I just pray to God and I pray to my teammates and my manager that we have a wonderful season.”
When asked about his readiness for the upcoming match, Mato confidently asserted, “I’m always ready, even when I wake up in the morning. I’m always ready to bite.”
