Frenchman Julien Mette’s tenure as coach of Football Kenya Federation Premier League team Tusker FC got off to the worst possible start on Saturday.
What was meant to be a new start for the 12-time Kenyan champions in the league with a new coach after a string of poor performances ended up with a yellow card for the 44-year-old coach, and a concession that the league title was beyond reach for his team following a 1-0 loss to Shabana FC at Gusii Stadium on Saturday.
It had all to do with an own goal by his defender Thomas Teka in the 38th minute of the match, which pushed the brewers further down in the league standings from position eight to 10th.
From the moment their team went ahead, fans of Kisii-based Shabana FC packed Gusii Stadium to the rafters, and cheered every touch of the ball by their players.
Bryson Wangai of Gor Mahia (centre) dribbles past Thomas Odhiambo (left) and Charles Momanyi of Tusker FC during their FKF Premier League at Moi Intertional Sports Centre, Kasarani on November 12, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
At the post-match press conference, Mette conceded that his side was now out of the race for the title, adding that his attention now shifts to trying to win the domestic (MozzartBet) Cup.
“We played very well, and I am impressed with the performance of my players in the match despite losing, courtesy of an own goal. The defeat means that we are now completely out of the title race. My attention will now shift to winning the MozzartBet Cup before we can take another stab at the league title next season,” Mette conceded. The loss to Shabana came just a day after Mette’s unveilling as the team’s coach .
In contrast, Shabana FC’s camp was in jubilant mood.
Smiling from ear to ear, Shabana’s coach, Peter Okidi, praised his charges for the hard-fought win, saying that they were now firmly in the title race.
“I am elated that we collected maximum points. It was a collective team performance, and we will approach each match as it comes, and with the seriousness it deserves,” Okidi said.
Following the win, Shabana returned to third place in the standings on with 37 points. Kakamega Homeboyz, who had registered a 2-0 victory over Sofapaka FC on Friday, had temporarily dislodged them from third position before their match with Tusker.
Tusker FC’s Charles Momanyi (right) vies for the ball with Shabana’s Keith Imbali in their FKF Premier League match played on October 7 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Tusker dropped from eighth to 10th position in the league with 28 points, and a photo. The team’s woes were summed up by photos of coach Mette striking a remorseful pose as referee Peter Waweru Kamaku brandishing a yellow card on his face.
At his first press conference on Friday when he was unveiled as the team’s coach, the Frenchman who holds a Uefa Pro Licence said he expects a change in Tusker’s performance after his first five matches in charge. Well, five matches represent 450 minutes of football, and in Mette’s estimation, that is enough time to change the team’s fortunes.
“I know that tomorrow we cannot win 5-0 and do completely the opposite of the last five games (Tusker’s performance in the last five FKF-PL matches), so I have given myself and the team five games to change completely in order to finish is a good position this season,” Mette said on Friday ahead of their clash with Shabana. That projected transformation has started on a disappointing note.
On Friday, Mette attributed the team’s struggles to inexperience, and said he would draw from his vast coaching experience to instill stronger competitive mentality within the team. At the international level, Mette has handled the Djibouti national football team. He has also coached Tongo Football Club, and and Association Sportive Otoho in the Republic of the Congo, and Rwandan club Rayon Sports. He guided Otoho to win the Congo Premier League title in 2018, and in 2023. He was also the youth coach of France’s Jeunesse Villenavaise, ES Blanquefort, FC and FC Libourne.
“Technically, we have very good players. They have the will and good intentions but lack experience - that is the most obvious point. They want to do it (win) but they don’t know how and I’m here to bring my experience,” he observed at his unveilling.
Tusker signed up three players in the January transfer window, among them Congolese goalkeeper Pavel Ndzila. Mette worked together with Ndzila at Rayon.
After playing 21 matches, 12-time champions Tusker are 10th with 28 points. Gor Mahia top the standings with 46 points. Mette replaced Charles Okere who resigned last week. Under Okere, Tusker recorded eight wins, four draws and eight losses this season. Tusker’s last FKF-PL triumph was in 2021.
