Tusker have a chance to rewrite a troubling chapter in their history of regional rivalry against Tanzanian clubs when they host Mtipa-based Singida Black Stars in the first leg of their second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The match will be held at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, from 3pm. Singida will host the return leg next Sunday at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, with the aggregate winner progressing to the lucrative group stage.
While Tusker have been perennial participants in the CAF interclub competitions, today’s encounter with Singida will mark their first-ever meeting with a Tanzanian opponent at the continental stage since the rebranding of the CAF tournaments in 1997.
They did meet Zanzibari side Kikosi Maalum cha kuzuia Magendo (KMKM) in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League in 2005, winning 7-1 on aggregate.
It is primarily in Cecafa competitions that Tusker have squared off against Tanzanian clubs, and more often than not, found themselves on the receiving end of these encounters.
Records show that in at least 12 matches against Tanzanian sides over the past four decades, the 12-time Kenyan champions have registered three wins, two draws and seven defeats.
At the 1989 Cecafa Club Cup (Kagame Cup) held in Nairobi, Tusker, then referred to as Kenya Breweries, edged out Coastal Union 3-0 in the final.
Tusker FC goalkeeper Brian Bwire out during a training session at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on October 17, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Come 2008, in the same competition in Dar es Salaam, the brewers clawed Simba Sporting Club 3-2 in the group stage as they went on to clinch the title
The brewers drew 0-0 with Azam in another group stage of the 2012 Cecafa Club Championships. That same year, Tusker hammered Simba 3-0 in a friendly match in Dar es Salaam.
At the 2013 Mapinduzi Cup, Tusker drew 1-1 with Simba and later fell 2-1 to Azam in the final. In the 2014 Mapinduzi Cup, Azam edged out Tusker 1-0 in the group stage.
In the 2005 Tusker Challenge Cup, Tusker lost to Yanga 1-0 in the semi-finals. Two years later, the brewers again fell to Yanga at the same stage, 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
At the 2009 Tusker Challenge Cup, Yanga continued with their dominance over the Kenyan side, winning 3-1 in the group stage.
In the 2017 SportPesa Super Cup held in Dar es Salaam, Tusker lost 4-2 to Yanga on post-match penalties after drawing 0-0 in regular time.
Now under French coach Julien Mette, the brewers will be itching to rewrite that poor record today.
While Mette is confident his side can carry the day, he cautioned against underrating their Tanzanian opponents. He even insisted that the visitors are the favourites, having reached the group stage of the last edition.
Tusker FC coach Julien Mette (left) consults his assistant Anthony Kimani during a training session at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on October 17, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“We can do this, but we have to be careful not to be too confident. We have to be humble and a little afraid of making mistakes,” he added.
On Thursday, Mette said that he would not burden his players with the fear of conceding at home, noting that they perform well when they play freely.
Tusker are unbeaten this season and will take confidence in their season opening 3-1 Super Cup win over giants Gor Mahia.
They can look to Nigerian striker Victor Mbaoma and speedy winger Ian Simiyu for their hunt for goals at Nyayo today. Mbaoma has already opened his Confed Cup account with two goals.
