Matano pleased with returns from Kericho pre-season camp

• Tusker were in Kericho for one week
• They played four friendly matches winning three and drawing one
• Coach Matano says he wants to defend the FKF PL title

Tusker FC head coach Robert Matano says he is impressed with the results from the team’s pre-season training camp in Kericho, saying they are now ready to defend their FKF Premier league title.

The tactician says he now knows his team better and knows his starting 11 as he looks towards the start of the new campaign which has been delayed over the current confusion in football management.

“I think I am very happy with what I have seen with the team for the last one week. Everyone has worked very well in training and one of the biggest things I wanted to see was match fitness. We played four friendly matches within four days and everyone showed they are ready,” the veteran tactician stated.

He added; “It shows that we are ready as a team and even if we had a match today, we would go in with confidence that we can win.”

Tusker had their last friendly match against National Super League side Mara Sugar winning 2-1 having earlier won 2-0 against Town Warriors of Kisii. Against Mara Sugar, Eric Otieno and David Odoyo scored, in between a penalty from the hosts.

They had also played against APS Bomet drawing 1-1, and beat Wazito FC 2-0 in Muhoroni.

Used all players in training games

Tusker FC Strength and Conditioning coach Enos Karani prepares the team during training at the Chemase Grounds in Kericho

“In all those matches, we used all the players. We tested all our systems and how we want to play and I can say I am satisfied. I now know my starting 11 and know what we need to do to improve.

Captain Humphrey Mieno is also pleased with the outcome of the camp, saying there is now more unity and purpose within the squad.

“We had several new players and coming here was also a good way for us to bond and get to understand each other. I believe we have achieved quite a lot and now we are ready for the new season. I thank the management for the effort they put to see us here,” the experienced Mieno said.

Tusker have been in training since July 4, and the current stand off over the start of the new season has totally disoriented their plans as they had initially set out for a six-week pre-season program.

There is now fear that the players will experience burnout once the season starts, as pre-season training has now stretched to almost 10 weeks, four more than earlier planned.

“I don’t think this is really good for football in Kenya. I want to urge everyone involved to try and solve this because it is the players and coaches who are suffering. We need everyone to put their ego down and come up with a solution,” the coach said.

It is not only Tusker who have had a pre-season camp, with KCB also having recently arrived back from Meru. Most clubs are now between 8-10 weeks of pre-season training, with the start of the new season still uncertain.