Situma: Tusker is all fired up for the new season
Tusker captain, James Situma, says the SportPesa Premier League champions are ready to turnaround the recent disappointing results ahead of the new season.
Situma and his teammates will play newcomers Nzoia United at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru County on Saturday, in the opening match of of the delayed 2017 league campaign, which will be televised on SuperSport.
Ahead of this fixture, the Kenya international has opted to put up a brave face by backing the team – and new coach Ugandan George “Best” Nsimbe – to come good and collect all the three points on offer.
“We are all focused and ready to go. We are looking for a win in our opening game because the squad is experienced enough and well aware of the importance of a winning start. The last thing we want is playing catch up after two or three games,” said Situma.
Indeed, Tusker’s pre-season has been one to forget.
First, the team was bundled out of the Caf African Champions League at the preliminary stage by little known Mauritius side AS Port Louis, on a 3-2 aggregate loss last month.
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Then the side also lost 1-0 to Gor Mahia in the season curtain raising KPL Super Cup in Nakuru last weekend, with Rwandan Jacques Tuyisenge responsible for match of the damage.
Thereafter, the brewers were also humbled 2-0 by Sofapaka in a pre-season friendly match played at the Eastleigh High School grounds in midweek.
“The most disappointing of the results was in the Champions League because that is where we all wanted to impress. However, we cannot dwell much on that now, the focus is on the league and especially trying to repeat what we achieved last season,” added Situma.
Besides the addition of Nsimbe, who replaced compatriot Paul Nkata, Tusker, who won both the league and domestic cup last season, have also acquired defenders Vincent Omumbo from Thika United, Samuel Olwande from Chemelil Sugar and Ugandan Marlon Tangauzi from Saints FC.
Also joining the Ruaraka based club’s stable this season is Sydeny Ochieng from National Super League side Palos FC, Victor Ndinya who joins following a spell from Bandari and Abdful Hassan who recently enjoyed a spell at Tanzania Premier League side African Lyon.