The Brewers remained Kenya’s only hope in the CAF competitions after FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia were tossed out of the CAF Champions League after losing 7-1 on aggregate against Pyramids FC in the first preliminary round.
Tusker qualified for the second preliminary round after defeating Sudan’s Al Ahli Wad Madani with a 3-2 aggregate score. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, Tusker won the return leg 1-0 to advance.
The Ruaraka-based side will now face the Tanzanian side, who reached this stage after defeating Al-Ghazala SC 10-1 on aggregate. Singida won the first leg 7-1 away before returning home to win 3-0 in the return leg.
When is Tusker vs Singida?
The first leg will be played at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, on Sunday, October 18th. The second leg is slated for October 25th in Tanzania.
While Tusker won their first win of the FKF league 2-0 against Ulinzi Stars, Singida will head into the match after a 1-0 defeat to Coastal Union in the Tanzanian Mainland Premier League.
Tusker coach Mette speaks
Tusker coach Julian Mette has explained why the team must strive to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.
“Tusker playing in the group stage means that many Kenyan players will play at least six high level competitive Continental games and they will gain more experience,” said Mette as quoted by CAFOnline.com.
“This experience will help them to improve their level and in turn this also improves the national team.
“If you add on the players who play in Europe and their experience, this will impact the national team positively.”
On facing Singida, Mette said: “Singida are a good side and their results in the previous round tell you that we must be ready for a serious challenge.
“We respect them, but we also have our own strengths and must believe in what we can achieve. We scored two good goals against Ulinzi, but this is a different competition with different demands.
“We have to remain organised, take our chances and make sure we do not give our opponents unnecessary opportunities.”
On what Tusker wants to achieve, Mette said: “Our target from the beginning was to reach the group stage.
“Once we get there, it becomes a different tournament because, with good performances, you can target the quarter-finals.”
Mette added: “We don’t want to be casual on Sunday. We want a big win at home, then to finish the job away. Even if we win, I will ensure the players do not relax ahead of the return leg.”
Playing as Kenya Breweries F.C., Tusker achieved their best-ever continental performance by reaching the final against DR Congo’s Daring Club Motema Pembe.
Tusker drew 2-2 in the first leg in Kinshasa but lost 3-0 in the return leg, finishing as runners-up on a 5-2 aggregate.
Tusker have competed multiple times across the decades, including runs in 1986, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2017, and a 2021/22 campaign where they were knocked out in the second round by Zamalek.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
Red Arrows urged to push Chiefs
Meanwhile, Red Arrows Assistant coach Kalililo Kakonje has challenged his players to push themselves against Kaizer Chiefs in a high-profile Confederation Cup encounter at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference in Ndola, Kakonje said facing a club of Kaizer Chiefs’ stature should naturally inspire his players to raise their performance levels and deliver a positive result when the two sides meet in the encounter.
With the spotlight firmly on the continental showdown, Red Arrows will be seeking to harness the advantage of playing at home while demonstrating that they have the quality and competitive edge to challenge one of South Africa’s most prominent football clubs.
However, the Airmen face an opponent that is equally aware of the challenge awaiting them in Ndola.
