Tusker head coach sounds warning to players after Bandari draw

Tusker FC head coach Charles Okere was left disappointed after they were held to a goalless draw by Bandari FC in Mombasa on Sunday, missing a crucial opportunity to claim the top spot in the FKF Premier League.

The Brewers needed a win to leapfrog Kenya Police FC at the summit, but the stalemate added to their recent struggles, dampening their pursuit of a 13th league title.

Okere issued a warning to his players, emphasizing that further slip-ups could derail their title ambitions. He urged them to use the draw against Bandari as a wake-up call to improve their performances.

"This is the second leg, and we need to understand that these draws aren't helping us. To win the championship, we must score as many goals as possible. No one is happy with the result, and the players’ body language says it all. This is a wake-up call for everyone."

Tusker's form has stuttered in recent weeks, with this result marking their fifth consecutive draw. Four of those matches ended 0-0, underscoring a worrying trend in front of goal.

Top scorer Ryan Ogam was sidelined due to injury, and young striker Jacob Onyango was absent for undisclosed reasons, further compounding their attacking woes.

Speaking after the match, an evidently frustrated Okere lamented his team's inefficiency, pointing out that their recent performances were a far cry from the first leg of the season when they were more clinical in front of goal.

"We're creating numerous chances but failing to convert them into goals," Okere said. "This is a stark contrast to the first leg, where we were more clinical—one chance, one goal. Now, we’re being very wasteful."

Alex Onchwari confident of Tusker replicating 2016 heroics

The coach also noted that the issue might not only be tactical but also psychological, as his players seem to lack composure in finishing.

"We’ve worked on this in training, both tactically and theoretically, to ensure we get it right. But, we lacked efficiency. It's more of a psychological issue because even under no pressure, we're missing opportunities. We need to prepare better in this area."

Tusker FC will now shift their focus to the upcoming Mozzart Bet Cup Round of 32 match against Nairobi United as they aim to bounce back from their recent struggles.

4 daunting tasks awaiting Benni McCarthy at Harambee Stars