Tusker FC head coach Julien Mette has conceded that the Kenyan Premier League title is no longer within reach for his side, urging his players to fully concentrate on the FKF Cup as their remaining shot at silverware this season.
The 13-time league champions currently sit seventh on the table with 37 points—19 behind leaders Gor Mahia—a gap Mette believes is too large to close.
“We have two competitions but as I said the first day when I arrived here when we lost against Shabana, the league was over for Tusker. It’s unfortunate that the league is beyond our reach realistically. Just admit it and try to shift focus,” Mette said.
Cup Offers Fresh Hope
Tusker have been drawn against Kariobangi Sharks in the Round of 16, and Mette believes the knockout competition now represents a genuine opportunity for success.
With both AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia already eliminated from the tournament, the coach sees a clearer path to the title.
“We are still on the road to win the Cup and let’s do that especially now that Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards are eliminated from the tournament.
They are the two best teams in Kenya and now that they are not in this Cup we have the chance and we have to take it 100 percent,” he added.
Winning the FKF Cup would not only deliver silverware but also secure Tusker a place in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
Signs of Progress Despite Setbacks
Despite recent setbacks—including a 1-0 loss to AFC Leopards at Nyayo National Stadium—Mette expressed optimism about his team’s development.
He acknowledged that Tusker had previously struggled against top sides but believes there has been a marked improvement in both performance and mentality.
“I am proud of my players because we have come from far and some weeks back we were in a big hole. We could not compete with this type of team—AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia—and of course, we were very disappointed with the results,” he said.
Mette, however, admitted that Leopards deserved their recent victory, noting that while Tusker created chances, they fell short in execution.
All Eyes on the Cup
With the league title effectively out of reach, Tusker’s season now hinges on their FKF Cup campaign. The club will be aiming to capitalize on the absence of traditional powerhouses and maintain consistency in the knockout stages.
For Mette and his squad, the message is clear: the road to redemption now runs through the FKF Cup.
