- This is the first friendly Tusker have played against a Premier League team
- They are on week six of pre-season training
- Sofapaka are also building for the new season
FKF Premier League champions Tusker FC continued with their preparations for the new season with a 2-1 victory over fellow Premier League side Sofapaka at the Ruaraka Complex.
Defender Kalos Kirenge scored the winner for Tusker midway through the second half with a powerful header when he rose highest to connect to a John Njuguna corner.
Sofapaka had equalized just a few minutes into the second half when Joe Waithira netted from close range after some mix up in the Tusker defense.
The brewers had gotten into the lead early in the first half when Lawrence Luvanda rifled a brilliant volley isolated at the backpost from a brilliant Daniel Sakari cross from the right.
Brewers field two different teams
Tusker’s Daniel Sakari provided one of the assists for Tusker goals
The brewers fielded two different teams in either half as coach Robert Matano tries to consolidate a strong team ahead of the new season.
Tusker played against lower league side Bongonaya on Wednesday winning 3-0 with goals from Stewart Omondi, Jackson Macharia and Shaphan Oyugi.
“We are continuing to work well and everyone is focused and putting in the hard work. We now have two more weeks which we hope we will use to finish up some grey areas,” noted the coach.
“We are also looking at several new players and hopefully we can finish up their signings this coming week. We have brought in several but what remains now is the paperwork,” Matano added.
Sofapaka make technical bench addition
Tusker’s Shaphan Oyugi in action against Sofapaka
Meanwhile, Sofapaka have brought on board former Western Stima head coach Paul Ogai as the new assistant for the new season. Ogai had previously been coaching National Super League side Kibera Black Stars.
Coach David Ouma believes he will be a positive addition to the team as they look to firm up for the new campaign. Ouma had taken over charge of the team midway through last season after coach Ken Odhiambo was fired.
Ouma had been Odhiambo’s deputy and after taking charge, he was assisted by Team Manager, former Harambee Stars player Hillary Echesa.
“He is an experienced coach and has been in this league before so he understands all the details. I am glad to have him because he brings in some new and fresh ideas,” Ouma said.
On his team’s preparations for the new season Ouma says; “We are still a bit behind with what we want to achieve but also, I am glad with the effort players are putting in. We are fighting to be able to make a good team and I am hopeful by the titme the season starts we will be okay.”
In other friendly matches Kariobangi Sharks beat Nation FC 2-1 at the Camp Toyoyo Grounds as Coach William Muluya continues to build a new team after massive exits.
Almost all senior first team players left Sharks at the end of last season and Muluya will now be forced to build a new squad with young academy players especially due to tough financial times.
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