By Gilbert Wandera
Inspired by their good run in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), champions Tusker are gearing up to bag the regional title this year.
Tusker will represent the country in the regional tournament, which kicks off next week in Tanzania. Coach Sammy Omollo believes they are motivated to win it.
“We are enjoying a good run in the league and this gives us plenty of motivation going to Tanzania. It means we can only do well,” he said.
Omollo admitted that the disappointment of falling out of the first round of the CAF champions league is still haunting them and they want to make up for it with a better performance in the regional showcase.
“We did not achieve our aim in the CAF champions league but a lot of it was due to luck of physical fitness and mental preparedness. When the champions league started, we were not ready for it because the local league was just starting,” he explained.
Coach impressed
Tusker were eliminated in the first round of the Champions League by APR of Rwanda in the continental competition.
The Tusker coach said he is particularly impressed that his strikers are now scoring goals and says this can only result in good performances.
“We struggled to get goals in the first leg but this has changed and now, I can depend on my strikers for goals. Going for such a competition in this frame of mind is very positive and inspiring for my players,” he explained.
Better results
Omollo, who does not underrate any team in the regional championships, says they will be taking every match like a final.
“All the teams taking part in the regional tournament are champions in their own leagues and cannot be underrated. Every match will count for us and we want to win all of them for better results in the end,” he said.
Turning to the local league, Omollo has predicted tougher matches lie ahead for them.
“I ‘m happy that we are at the top. It is a great motivation for my players but in the same breath, we know it is not easy to maintain being at the top,” said Omollo.
“This season, the league looks tougher because there are three teams who are all fighting for the title unlike last season when it was just two teams. It is likely to go till the end,” he said.
Tusker are attempting a rare feat of defending the KPL title, something that has not happened since Ulinzi won the league in 2005 and 2006.
