Pomp, color as Tusker unveil new eleven signings

FKF-PL side Tusker FC have officially unveiled eleven new players and a new kit ahead of the new season that is scheduled to kick off 24th August 2024.

This comes barely two months after the Brewers parted ways with eleven players at the end of last season, inclusive of the head coach Robert Matano who has since joined Sofapaka.

Those  unveiled are winger Eric Naaman ‘Aviator’ Balecho, custodian Joseph ‘Spiderman’ Ochuka, and two Uganda imports, George Kaddu and Boban Zirintusa.

Others include Yusuf ‘Afande’ Mainge, Jacob Onyango, Dennis Wanjala, Ryan Ogam, Thomas Omole, Alex Onchwari from Muhoroni Youth, and Teddy Dok Onyango, who has been promoted from Tusker Youth.

Speaking after the unveiling of the new players, head coach Charles Okere expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the new boys, whom he said have settled into the team very fast.

"We are in week five in our pre-season and the first four weeks have been okay. I have interacted with the new boys and the team. I have been impressed by the new boys because they have adapted well to our philosophy.

‘They did well in Kampala in our pre-season tour away from home, I am convinced that they have settled. I was even impressed by Ryan Ogam, who even scored a beautiful goal as we took on Bright Stars in our first match,’ he added.

Okere, who was managing Tusker Youth before earning the maiden ‘promotion’, has outlined his plan for the season, adding that he is targeting to win a double next season.

‘Our target is to finish to win the Premier League and FKF Cup at the end of the season, and this is the gospel the management is preaching to the players; we want them to have a mindset that we are going for nothing less than bringing two titles home’ he states

About being appointed on an interim basis to fill the void that his predecessor, Robert Matano, left, Okere said:

‘My mind is focused on preparing the team for the coming season rather than the terms on which I was hired. I will do my part and leave the rest for the management of the team to decide.”

Assistant captain Mike Kibwage says the mood in the camp is very high as they prepare for the upcoming season. He lauds the signing, saying the team has the much-needed depth.

‘We lost 11 players, and we have roped in the same equal number, and this has brought debt, and the additional have gelled very fast, and nobody can tell there are new players among us’

‘Next season, we will not be a one-man position team; we have like three players per position, and this is creating competition; everybody wants to play, and out of it, we are likely to have a formidable team that will challenge for all the trophies’, he added.

On his part, one of the newest acquisitions, Eric Naaman Balecho, says he is ready to increase his tally is assists and rope in a double-digit goal to help Tusker reclaim the League title they lifted two seasons ago. The 24-year-old right-wing attacker joined the Brewers on a one-year contract.

“I grabbed the opportunity to join Tusker to try another challenge. I thank Murang’a SEAL for giving me a platform to showcase my talent. I believe Tusker is the right place to further my career, and the move is timely.” he added.