Coach Mette dreams big with Tusker in Africa Cup

Traditionally, the team that wins the FKF Cup qualifies to represent Kenya in the prestigious CAF Confederation Cup.

Tusker’s last appearance on the continental stage was during the 2021/2022 campaign when they represented the country in the coveted CAF Champions League.

However, the “brewers” did not go deep into the competition, bowing out in the second preliminary stage after losing 5-0 on aggregate to Egyptian giants, Zamalek Sporting Club.

Now, having made history with the 12-time FKF Premier League champions by guiding them back to the continental stage after just four months in charge, French coach Julien Mette hopes the success marks the beginning of many more achievements by the club, including in the CAF Inter-club competitions.

He has cited Nairobi United’s qualification for the group stage of last season’s CAF Confederation as a benchmark that Tusker should strive to emulate.

“We have to copy paste what Nairobi United did last season, and we have to prepare as soon as possible in terms of recruitment,” Mette stated. “We have to keep our strength and work on our weaknesses.”

The coach said that by securing a place in the CAF Confederation Cup, Tusker would attract many top foreign players, an advantage he hopes to capitalise on thanks to the club’s strong financial muscle.

“Tusker has a good budget, so with CAF Confederation Cup, you can convince better players. I’m talking about foreign players coming to Tusker,” said the Frenchman, who has a rich coaching experience in Africa.

The 44-year-old has previously coached Congolese top-flight sides Tongo FC and Association Sportive Otoho. He has also handled Rwanda’s Rayon Sports and the Djibouti national team.

Making their maiden appearance on the continental stage, Nairobi United, also known as “Naibois,”impressed by achieving a feat rarely accomplished by Kenyan clubs — reaching the group stage of CAF Confederation Cup.

However, their campaign in the group stage proved tough as they failed to register a win in any of their six pool matches. They also managed just one goal in the group matches. They were pooled alongside DR Congo’s Association Sportive Maniema Union, Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club and Tanzania’s Azam FC.

Previously, in the first preliminary round of the competition, Nairobi eliminated Uganda’s National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) on the away goal rule after they drew 3-3.

In the second preliminary round, “Naibois” upset Tunisia giants Etoile Sportive du Sahel 7-6 on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw.

Reflecting on Nairobi’s performance in the group stage, the club’s Technical Director Salim Ali, who was then acting as the interim coach, attributed their struggle to lack of continental experience.

As Tusker return to continental action, to mount a strong challenge, Mette is expected to tap into his extensive coaching network for strategic insights, as he did ahead of the ahead of the FKF Cup glory on Sunday.

After the victory over Police, Mette revealed that USM Alger coach Lamine N’Diaye shared with him tips on how to win the match, which helped them secure the trophy.
Senegalese N’Diaye guided Alger to victory in last season’s CAF Confederation Cup.

“He (N’Diaye) took time to call me and he gave me a lot of advice. As a big brother, I want to thank him. I took a lot of information from him that helped us today (Sunday),” said the Frenchman.

Apart from Tusker and Nairobi United, several other clubs have previously represented Kenya on the continental stage. They include giants Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, Sofapaka, Kenya Police, Kakamega Homeboyz, Kariobangi Shraks, Ulinzi Stars and Mathare United.

The best performance by a Kenyan club on the continental stage remains the 1987 triumph in the CAF Confederation Cup by Gor Mahia.

In the competition, which was then referred to as Mandela Cup, Gor clinched the title on away goal rule after drawing 3-3 on aggregate with Tunisian giants Esperance.

While Tusker have been perennial participant in CAF inter-club competitions, its best performance came in 1994 when they reached the final of the Africa Cup Winners’ Cup (CAF Confederation Cup).

Then referred to as Kenya Brewers, the 12-time Kenyan champions lost 5-2 on aggregate to DR Congo’s Motema Pembe.

Apart from claiming the bragging rights, progressing to the group stage of CAF interclub competitions is lucrative to teams since besides giving players valuable exposure and experience it also comes with significant financial reward from CAF.

For winning last season’s CAF Confederation Cup, Alger pocketed $ 2 million (Sh258.9 million) in prize money while Zamalek received $1million (Sh129.48 million) for merging second.

The teams that advanced from the groups were guaranteed a minimum of $550,000 (Sh71.21 million) each while the clubs that finished third and fourth in their pools received $400,000 (Sh51.79 million).

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