Tusker coach tears into experienced players following false Kagame Cup start

Tusker FC head coach Julien Mette has challenged his senior players to raise their standards after the Brewers began their 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup campaign with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Sudanese giants Al Hilal SC at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.

The five-time Kagame Cup champions struggled to cope with Al Hilal's efficiency in front of goal despite creating several promising opportunities of their own, leaving Mette frustrated with the display of some of his experienced players.

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Addressing the media after the match, the French tactician did not hide his disappointment, insisting the club's established figures had failed to lead by example in the Group C opener.

"Some of the old players whom I have been working with for five months did not do well. I am disappointed with them, and they need to wake up quickly because they are the leaders of the team and they need to guide the new ones," Mette said.

While he was critical of his senior players, the Tusker boss had plenty of praise for the club's new recruits, many of whom were making their first competitive appearances following their arrivals during the ongoing transfer window.

A total of ten new signings featured against Al Hilal, including: John Otieno, Aboubacar Doumbia, Collins Ochieng, Telena Ochieng, Victor Mbaoma, December Kisakah, Warsama Hassan, Abdoulie Joof and Steve Omondi.

The newcomers earned positive reviews from their coach despite the defeat.

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Mette maintained that the final score did not accurately reflect the balance of play, arguing that his side showed encouraging signs and created enough opportunities to get something from the contest.

"I am optimistic. Despite the goals we conceded, we had more chances than our opponents. I am positively surprised by the performance because the players are ahead of where I expected them to be at this stage, so I am happy with the performance but disappointed with the result.

I have nothing negative to say about the new players, as they have just joined the team and have already shown what they can do in only a few days. I am very surprised by their level of performance," he said.

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Tusker will now turn their attention to Wednesday's crucial Group C clash against Rwandan side Rayon Sports.

Victory will be essential to revive their semi-final hopes and respond positively after an underwhelming start to their Kagame Cup campaign.