Tusker head coach highlights benefits of Kisumu pre-season camp
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 15.09.25. | 07:49
With momentum and confidence gained from their Kisumu camp, the Brewers now turn their attention to the season curtain raiser against KCB on Friday night
Tusker FC head coach Charles Okere has hailed the team’s pre-season training camp in Kisumu as a major success as the Brewers gear up for their FKF Premier League opener against KCB FC this Friday under the floodlights at Nyayo National Stadium.
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After weeks of preparations in Nairobi, Tusker shifted base to Kisumu for a week-long camp designed to sharpen the squad ahead of a demanding season in which they will be chasing their 13th league crown.
Despite a strong start last year, the Ruaraka-based side narrowly missed out on the title and are determined to go one better this time around.
The Kisumu camp concluded on a high with Tusker beating Kakamega Homeboyz 2-0 at Bukhungu Stadium. Alongside that win, they also tested themselves against APS Bomet and Kisumu-based TBM, matches that coach Okere described as vital for assessing the team’s readiness.
“We’ve wrapped up the camp with a 2-0 win, scoring twice and keeping a clean sheet. That’s very encouraging as we head into our first game of the season,” Okere said in an interview with the club's media.
While results mattered, the coach stressed that the primary focus was building team chemistry, especially with several new signings in the squad.
“This was more about team building. We wanted the new players to understand our playing philosophy and get minutes to apply what we’ve worked on under pressure.
The camp was a big plus, and I’m grateful to management for making it possible,” he added.
Okere further explained that the time in Kisumu gave his players an opportunity to bond off the pitch, something he believes will be crucial during the long season ahead.
“Team building is not easy, but this week has helped us identify each other’s strengths and weaknesses. That understanding is important as we start the season.
We should embrace such camps even during the campaign to enhance cohesion. Overall, it has been positive with two wins and a draw against strong teams,” he noted.
Reflecting on the entire seven-week pre-season, Okere praised the hard work put in by both players and staff, while acknowledging the effort required to recruit and integrate new talent.
“Scouting and signing players, then blending them into the system while working on tactics, is not easy. But the players and technical team have given their all, and I believe we’re ready for a strong season,” he said.
Tusker, who finished fourth last season with 57 points, eight fewer than eventual champions Kenya Police FC, have reinforced heavily, adding 14 new players.
The 14 included: Issa Rashid Lumumba, Vincent Otieno Owino, Dennis Ochieng Oalo, Cliff Omondi Oruko, Ronny Otieno, Yakeen Mutheli, Curtis Amos Wekesa, Eugene Ikutwa, Francis Oduor, Brandon Obiero, Erick Kapaito, Douglas Nyasosi Manga, David Polepole, and George Oahiambo.
With momentum and confidence gained from their Kisumu camp, the Brewers now turn their attention to the season curtain raiser against KCB on Friday night.
