Tusker revelation mulling multiple defensive deployments

Reigning Kenyan champions Tusker fc's investment in Jimmy Mbugua premises to yield more than anticipated as the budding defender says he is comfortable in being deployed anywhere in the defence as well as the forward line.

The brewers promoted the youngster to the senior team last year and he has gone to prove his versatility after displaying class as a centre back and as a right back.

Mbugua recently gave coach Robert Matano a different dimension after he oozed class as a left back in the Super Cup and league opener against AFC Leopards after Hillary Wandera who is the preferred starter picked an injury.

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The former Tusker Youth captain revealed that he learnt to defend from any position when in the junior side and is comfortable in guarding the goal from any position.

In addition, Mbugua said he had not lost his goal scoring instincts having began his career as a forward in Gachie and in school as well as in the junior team.

"I can comfortably play as a right back, left and a central defender. I learnt to defend from all angles when in the youth team. The coach is free to play me anywhere in the defence and forward line," he said.

Mbugua who spend the better part of last season warming the bench won Matano's heart when he was summoned for duty and has since established himself as a key player for the team.

His performance in the closing stages of the season earned him a call up to the national U23 team, Emerging Stars and amassed sizeable playing time in the CAF Champions League encounter against Arta Solar 7 of Djibouti.

Mbugua says the objective of the season is to sweep all domestic titles and give a good account of themselves in the continental matches.

"We began our title defence on the wrong footing but that does not mean we will have a bad season. The goal is to retain the league and win the Cup. We also want to do well in CAF matches," he added.