Mette explains why Tusker players chose Abud Omar as new captain
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 28.07.26. | 10:29
The defender made his second debut for the Brewers on Sunday in their 2-0 defeat to Al Hilal in the CECAFA Kagame Cup
Tusker FC head coach Julien Mette has revealed that the club's decision to hand the captain's armband to new signing Abud Omar was driven by the players' vote rather than his personal preference.
Omar was recently unveiled as the Brewers' new skipper following the departure of Charles Momanyi, who the club released during the off-season.
Although Mette admitted the experienced Harambee Stars defender was always his preferred choice to lead the side, he insisted he wanted the dressing room to make the final decision instead of imposing it himself.
“I wanted him to be the captain, but if the players don’t want him, I respect the choice of the players. They chose Abud with a big percentage, so now he is the captain of the team,” Mette said.
The French tactician explained that the start of a new campaign offered the perfect opportunity to allow the squad to elect its leader after he opted against making changes midway through last season.
“When I arrived in February, I couldn’t change the captain because I was focused on other things. It’s now the beginning of the season, and I like to manage my team that way…allow the players to vote for the captain. I presented the season’s objective, club project, calendar and the game model to the players,” the former Rayon Sports head coach said.
Omar returned to Tusker last week, marking his second spell with the club a decade after leaving.
He rejoins the Brewers following an outstanding campaign with Kenya Police FC, where he successfully reinvented himself as a central defender after spending most of his career at left-back.
Mette had previously spoken highly of Omar after last month's Mozzart Cup final in Kwale, praising his leadership and the superb free-kick that drew Kenya Police level before Tusker eventually secured a 2-1 victory.
The experienced defender also remains one of the senior figures in Benni McCarthy's Harambee Stars squad, serving as one of the national team's assistant captains.
He captained Kenya during last year's African Nations Championship (CHAN) on home soil, leading the side to the quarter-finals.
Mette believes Omar's leadership qualities and experience will be crucial as Tusker seek to implement the club's long-term vision and challenge for honours this season.
The defender made his second debut for the Brewers on Sunday in their 2-0 defeat to Al Hilal in the CECAFA Kagame Cup.
