Kenyan football club Tusker is targeting the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, according to coach Julien Mette. The team recently advanced to the second preliminary round after defeating Sudanese side Al Ahli Wad Madani 3-2 on aggregate. A 2-2 draw away in Sudan was followed by a 1-0 home win on September 12, with Chrispine Erambo scoring the decisive goal in the 62nd minute. This sets up an East African showdown with Tanzania's Singida Black Stars.
Mette emphasized that simply progressing from one round is not enough for the team. The Belgian coach wants to expose his squad to a higher level of competition and believes reaching the group stage would be valuable for the development of Tusker's younger players. An extended continental campaign would provide the team's local players with at least six more games at a very high level, which Mette considers crucial for Kenyan football.
The team has sought to strike a balance between experience and youth, with senior players expected to provide leadership as their younger teammates adapt to the intensity of continental competition. Collins Ochieng and Erambo are among the youngsters who have been handed opportunities during the campaign, with Erambo already making a telling contribution against Al Ahli. Mette believes this blend of experience and youth will serve the team well in their upcoming matches.
The task is expected to be tougher against Singida, one of Tanzania's established sides, who recently won 7-1. Mette acknowledges that Tanzania's league is probably the strongest in East Africa at the moment, making Singida the favorites. However, he believes Tusker's preparation time can help bridge the gap between the two sides, with about a month to study their opponents and fine-tune their approach.
Tusker captain Abud Omar described Singida as a stable and dangerous opponent but believes the Kenyan side can make the tie competitive. Omar noted that the team will have their chances and is looking forward to testing themselves against strong regional opposition. The two-legged contest represents another opportunity for Tusker to keep alive their ambition of reaching the Confederation Cup group stage.
The first leg against Singida is scheduled for Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi next month, followed by the return match in Tanzania. Mette is optimistic about the team's chances, citing the importance of these games for the development of Kenyan football. The team's objective is to go as far as possible in the competition, with Omar emphasizing the significance of these matches for the players and Kenyan football.
With a month to prepare, Mette believes Tusker can make the most of this time to analyze their opponents and prepare themselves. The team will try to use this time as well as possible to make the tie competitive. The winner of the two-legged tie against Singida will qualify for the group stage, a goal that Mette and his team are determined to achieve.
Key points
- Tusker coach Julien Mette targets CAF Confederation Cup group stage
- Team to face Tanzania's Singida Black Stars in second preliminary round
- Tusker aims to provide younger players with high-level competition experience
