Tusker building squad to challenge Africa's best, says Mette

Mette says the Brewers are strengthening their squad to compete with Africa's elite as they prepare for the CAF Confederation Cup, insisting quality recruitment will be key to their continental ambitions.

The FKF Cup holders will represent Kenya in the competition after securing continental qualification last season. While confident in his team's potential, Mette acknowledged that success will depend on both the calibre of the squad and a favourable preliminary-round draw.

The Frenchman noted that Kenyan clubs have regularly faced daunting ties against North African heavyweights, making qualification for the lucrative group stage a difficult task.

"Our chances of reaching the group stage will depend a lot on the draw," said Mette.

"If we get there, it becomes a different competition because you can then target the quarter-finals with consistent performances.

"Our league is not at the same level as those in South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia or Morocco. If you face clubs from those countries in the preliminary rounds, the challenge is much greater," added Mette.

Despite the gulf in quality between leagues, Mette believes Tusker can compete with the continent's best if they assemble a squad with sufficient depth and quality. Drawing on his own experience in African club football, he said Kenyan teams have already shown they can upset more fancied opponents.

He cited Nairobi United's memorable CAF Confederation Cup campaign last season, when they eliminated Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw, as evidence that Kenyan clubs can challenge established continental powers.

"Nairobi United showed it is possible," Mette said. "They knocked out Etoile du Sahel even though the Tunisian league is stronger than ours. If we are drawn against clubs from those countries, we will fight."

Captain Charles Momanyi echoed his coach's optimism, saying the players are fully focused on pre-season preparations ahead of a demanding campaign that includes the CECAFA Kagame Cup, the Kenyan Premier League and the CAF Confederation Cup.

The defender insisted Tusker's ambition extends beyond merely participating in Africa.

"We started preparing early because once we realised the league title was out of reach last season, we shifted our focus to winning the FKF Cup," said Momanyi.

"We are not going to the CAF Confederation Cup just to participate. Our target is to progress beyond the group stage and reach the quarter-finals."

Tusker will spend the next two weeks in Rwanda competing in the CECAFA Kagame Cup, where they have been drawn in Group C alongside Al Hilal, Rayon Sports and Zanzibar's KVZ Sports Club. The Brewers entered the tournament as replacements for Sudan's Al Merrikh, who withdrew.

Club chairman Charles Gacheru believes the regional tournament will help integrate the club's new signings ahead of the new season.

The Brewers have already recruited Aboud Omar, Nigerian striker Chukwuemeka Mbaoma and Ivorian winger Aboubacar Doumbia, with more arrivals expected.

"Recruitment is ongoing, and this tournament will help our new players settle quickly," said Gacheru.