Queries on how ‘Tusker’ went flat

Sofapaka FC's Umaru Kasumba Jumps over Llyoyd Wahome od Tusker FC during KPL match at Ruaraka Grounds on Nov 10, 2017. {Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Having won a double last season, former Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions were expected to do even better this year.

But contrary to expectations and with a new coach to boot, the brewers could only manage sixth spot. At the end of it all, they failed to defend the title; a big disappointment for a team that managed to hold onto most of their players during the transfer window.

What went wrong? We look at the matches that turned the season on its head for Tusker.

Tusker 2-5 Nzoia Sugar

The brewers started the season on the wrong footing after going down 5-2 to new comers Nzoia Sugar in their first match and this set tone for what turned out to be a season to forget for the brewers.

A few weeks earlier, Tusker had been bundled out of the CAF Champions League by Port Louis of Mauritius.

As fate would have it, the brewers lost again, 2-0 to Thika United, before picking their first win of the season against Chemelil before they went four matches without a win thereafter.

Western Stima 1-0 Tusker

This was the fifth loss for Tusker and coming almost in mid-season, it was obvious the brewers did not have the ability to defend the league trophy. In their campaign last year, they lost only three matches in the entire season.

By this time, it looked like everything had gone wrong for Tusker and even the decision to hire coach George Nsimbe had backfired and something needed to be done urgently to turn around performances.

Sony Sugar 2-0 Tusker

By the time Tusker fell to sugar millers in September, they had only won once in six matches and the loss at Awendo confirmed their dipping form and once again proved they did not have what it takes to defend the league title.

Despite picking three consecutive wins against Zoo Kericho, Bandari and Mathare United, this did not help make matters any better.

Gor Mahia 2-0 Tusker

This is the loss that put the final nail on Tusker’s coffin this season.