Why Tusker Have Been Stoic In FKF Premier League In Recent Years

NAIROBI, Kenya- It is no doubt that the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Tusker FC has dominated the country’s top tier football competition in the last two seasons.

The reigning champions have already made it very clear that they are headed for a treble in the next KPL season whose official date is yet to be established.

Head coach Robert ‘The Lion’ Matano is very confident that the brewers will attain their aim which is to defend the glittering trophy currently nestling in their cabinet.

Matano has attributed their good run in the league on many factors, key among them is the full support they are getting from their sponsors, the Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL).

 “Our target is to retain the KPL title again for the third time in a row, this is the best gift we can deliver to our brand Tusker that is celebrating 100 years of existence,” Matano underlined.

“So far we have had very elaborate preparations ahead of next season, I have seven new signings who I believe are up to the task, we are just waiting for the league to kick off so they can prove their mettle,” he added.

The no nonsense tactician reiterated that their good run in the league in the past two seasons has been as a result of the financial benefits they are getting from KBL.

 “This particularly came handy during the Covid-19 lockdown. The period was tough for so many KPL teams.

“We are glad that KBL stood with Tusker FC; no one in the playing unit had their contract terminated, no player was laid off including the support staff and the KBL employees,” Matano highlighted.

According to the tactician, KBL has been so diligent in paying their salaries in time and catering for their medical, welfare, transport, winning bonuses and allowances among others.

“Our sponsors are always up to date, they have honored every deal that they have sealed with us to the letter,” Matano says.

The coach’s sentiments have been echoed by club captain Humphrey Mieno who says the great financial muscle from KBL is what has sustained the team and has led to their meteoric rise in the KPL.

“We have been supported in ways that so many teams in the league cannot match. Many sides are struggling financially due to the tough economic times, some cannot even pay players their allowances comfortably,” says Mieno.

Mieno says the financial boost has been the main factor in their winning the league twice, in a row.

“At Tusker, we are lucky our salaries and allowances are paid on time. Medically, we are fully covered together with our spouses and children,” he explained.

The KBL’s financial boost has not only been reserved to the senior team but has also been extended to the youth side that is currently churning out talent to the main squad.

Among the prolific players who have been promoted to the senior squad ahead of the new KPL season is Collins ‘Ngolo’ Otieno.

The Tusker’s feeder program is not only reserved to their senior team but has been extended to the national team Harambee Stars where some of their best charges enjoyed adequate playing time before the country was suspended by world football governing body. FIFA.

The KBL management is also supporting the playing unit to seek greener pastures abroad especially in Europe where three of their players are currently based.

 “Our former captain Eugene Asike currently plays for Swedish club Karlstad Fotboll, he is among the players who were supported by the management to go for a professional stint abroad.

“Swedish sides AIK Fotboll and Kalmar FF have also signed Henry Meja and David Majak respectively, from Tusker,” says Mieno.

According to Chepkemoi Kilel, the KBL Senior Brand Manager- Tusker Sports and Tusker Cider, Tusker as a brand has always strived to support football in its 100 years of existence.

“We have always ensured Tusker FC is fully equipped with resources and kits for the matches. We have ensured the club has the best in terms of expertise in coaching and the technical bench.

“By putting everything in place, this has translated into better results in the last two seasons that we have always topped the KPL,” says Kilel.

Kilel says KBL will continue to fund the team next season as the mission is to retain the KPL trophy for the third consecutive time.

“As Tusker brand, sports is very important because it provides an opportunity to bring Kenyans together to support matches and cheer our Kenyan heroes who are really our sportsmen and women,” she adds.

Among the plans that KBL has for the team ahead of the new season is to help the side to acquire  prolific new signings which they did last month.

The team has also been issued with a brand new bus to ease their travelling for games. The team is currently poised to unveil their new jersey when the official date for the league kick off has been established.

“As KBL, some of the key moments with Tusker FC was seeing them lift the trophy twice in a row. It is also amazing to see some of our junior players graduate to the senior team. This means that we believe in nurturing talents,” Kilel underlined.

Asked about what they think of the ongoing Tusker centenary celebrations, Mieno believes Tusker as a brand has come far and has ultimately reached a milestone mark that can never be rivaled by any firm in the East African region.

 “From the quality of their products, I think sky is the only limit for Tusker. I’m confident we are going to see more of these products, even better ones in the near future,” Mieno says.

According to Matano, Tusker as a brand has been so consistent in the East African market over the years despite the stiff challenge from many quarters.

“It is this consistency that the team has also adopted in the KPL and you can see this through our mode of play. We try to adapt to every new idea so we can be unrivalled,” Matano underscored.

QUOTE

“Now that we are KPL champions, everyone expects Tusker as a brand to be on top. I’m glad that we are as we continue to bask in our centenary celebrations.” Tusker FC head Coach Robert ‘The Lion’ Matano.

UTILITIES

Tusker FC Kenyan Premier League victories

1977 as Kenya Breweries, 1978 as Kenya Breweries, 1994 as Kenya Breweries,1996 as Kenya Breweries,1999, 2000, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2020/2021, 2021/2022.