Okere says Tusker ready to harvest maximum points after the international break

After enduring a three-match winless streak in the FKF Premier League (FKF-PL), Tusker FC head coach, Charles Okere, says he has used the two-week international break to correct the evident weaknesses that led to the team dropping massive points.

Okere says they are now targeting to start posting positive results once the league resumes this weekend.

He notes that the break provided them with the much-needed breather for his team to go back to the drawing board, which had played three high-intensity matches without recording a win.

Before the break, the Brewers had lost 3-2 to second-placed Kariobangi Sharks before drawing 2-2 with Kakamega Homeboyz and then registering a 1-1 draw against Kenya Police.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, the tactician said they have worked more on defending set-pieces and protecting the lead. Okere, who was appointed on an interim basis at the beginning of the season, says his team dropped points on two occasions after taking the lead.

“We had the problem of leading and controlling the game but ended up dropping crucial points. We led 2-0 against Sharks but ended up losing 3-2. The next match we were leading 2-0 against Kakamega Homeboyz but after 90 minutes it ended 2-2, making us drop six points”, lamented Okere, a former Vihiga Queens tactician.

“Again, this season we have started conceding goals resulting from set pieces. So I welcomed the break because it gave us an ample time to work on it [defending set pieces] and work on concentration when we have the lead then we see how it goes once the League resumes this weekend”, he added;

The 2022/2023 FKF-PL champions won the league opener by a solitary goal against Robert Matano-led Sofapaka thanks to a 68th minute goal from combative midfielder, Chrispine Erambo.

Despite not registering a win in their last three matches, Okere says he has been impressed by new signing, Ryan Wesley Ogam, who has settled in very fast having scored three goals in four matches.

“As much as we have not been getting maximum points, I have been impressed by Ryan [Ogam] who has been bagging goals. Scoring three goals in four matches and being a new signing, tells you that he has settled in the team very fast despite this being his debut season in the top tier league.

“I hope he continues his form and in the end these goals may propel us to where we want to be,” said Okere, while heaping praise on the former Rainbow FC player. 

Tusker FC will face FC Talanta at home on Saturday, October 19, 2024, before taking on out-of-form Ulinzi Stars a week later, with the tactician hopeful his team stands a chance to register positive results.

“They (FC Talanta) are a formidable force, so it will be tough for us but with home advantage there is no way we will allow them to beat us at home,” vowed the tactician.

Currently, Tusker occupy 6th position on the log with five points from four matches this season.

Meanwhile, this afternoon, both Mathare United and Bidco United will each be seeking to register their first win of the season when they lock horns at the Dandora Stadium, Nairobi.

In the last four outings, newly promoted Mathare United have not won any match after losing twice and drawing twice, while in the same number of outings, Bidco United have lost thrice and drawn once.

Bidco, a Thika based-club, will be without their head coach Anthony Akhulia who is away in Tanzania deputizing Police FC’s Salim Babu in the CECAFA Junior Challenge assignment with the Rising Stars.