Mette demands clinical finishing as Tusker chase FKF Cup gong

Tusker FC head coach Julien Mette has admitted his side must become more clinical in front of goal ahead of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup final on 14 June.

The Brewers booked their place in the final after edging KCB FC 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw in normal time. Mette now believes improving their finishing will be crucial if Tusker are to rescue their season with silverware after falling out of contention in the Kenya Premier League title race.

Tusker have largely relied on Eric Kapaito for goals, supported by youngster David Polepole, who was promoted from Tusker Youth, and Tanzanian forward Ibrahim Joshua, who returned to the club during the January transfer window for a second spell.

“We have not been conceding many goals, but at the same time we have not been scoring freely,” said Mette.

“We need to be at our best in attack in the final to improve our chances of winning the Cup. We are working on our sharpness up front with our three main strikers, who have all performed well when given opportunities.

“Kapaito and Ibrahim have done well in the second half of the league season, but they have not scored as freely as we would like. We still have about three weeks before the final and we hope to be ready by then.”

The former Djibouti national team coach acknowledged the challenge awaiting his side, noting that their opponents, Kenya Police FC, possess one of the strongest defences in the league.

“It is going to be a difficult match because Kenya Police also want to win the Cup after the league title slipped out of reach for them,” he said.

“We need to be very sharp in attack if we are to break them down.”

Mette also feels that his players are highly motivated by the prospect of returning to continental football for the first time in five years.

“I challenged the players and asked them whether they wanted to finish the season empty-handed,” he said.

“They told me they are ready to give everything in the final.”

He added: “We know this is our only route into the CAF Confederation Cup. The last time Tusker played continental football was in 2021 and we are eager to return and represent Kenya again.”

On team selection, Mette insisted no player is guaranteed a starting place, defending his decision to field an unfamiliar side against KCB in the semi-final.

“I want to give every player a fair opportunity to show what they can do,” he said.

“I have two strong players in every position and, in the remaining three league matches, they will all have the chance to prove they deserve to start in the final. They must fight for their positions and for the badge.”

The Frenchman, who holds CAF A and UEFA Pro coaching licences, also highlighted the competition for places in midfield and on the wings.

“Even in midfield, I have several options, especially in the wide areas where we have more players than in central midfield,” he said.

“I have been giving them opportunities to show what they can do. A player like Omole, who has been playing regularly, started in the semi-final.”

Mette, who has previously coached in Congo-Brazzaville, Djibouti and Rwanda, was appointed Tusker head coach on 20 February 2026, replacing Charles Okere.

Tusker will complete their league campaign with away matches against Bandari and Ulinzi Stars before hosting APS Bomet in their final fixture of the season.

The Brewers are currently seventh in the league table with 44 points from 31 matches.