Tusker FC Coach Mette Targets League and Cup After CAF Confederation Cup Exit

Tusker FC coach Julian Mette has told his players to learn from their CAF Confederation Cup elimination and use it as fuel in the chase for the SportPesa Premier League and domestic cup titles.

The Brewers went out 2-1 on aggregate to Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars. They lost the first leg 1-0 at Nyayo National Stadium and drew 1-1 in Sunday’s return leg at the Azam Complex, where Victor Mbaoma scored for Tusker. It wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.

Proud, But Painfully Aware

Mette was upset but proud of how his side responded in Tanzania, and he believes the first leg decided the tie. “The team is very sad and disappointed, but I am proud of the players. Today, we have no regrets. If we had played with the same intensity, energy and determination in the first leg, we would have won 2-0 or 3-0,” he said.

He felt Tusker were the better team in the return leg, with starters and substitutes alike delivering. “I still believe we are the better team. Some of our players did not perform well in the first leg, but today, everyone delivered a top performance, both those who started and those who came on as substitutes,” he added.

A Young Team Learning the Hard Way

The coach admitted the home leg let them down, and he pointed to the club’s inexperience at this level. “We failed to turn up in the first leg at home, and I think we were punished for that. We are a young team with young players and a young coaching staff, and the club had never reached the group stage. I hope the players learn from this experience and that we come back stronger next year,” he said.

Missed Chances the Real Story

Mette also blamed wasted chances, arguing that Tusker created more than Singida over the two legs. “If we take into account the chances created across both legs, I think Singida had fewer opportunities than we did. However, this is the reality at the highest level. Some teams that go far in African competitions do not necessarily make many passes or dominate possession, but when they get an opportunity, they take it,” he said.

“That is the main lesson we must learn from this team. Tactically and technically, there is not much we need to learn from them, but some of their players can make the difference.”

Eyes on the Domestic Double

With Africa now off the agenda, Mette is aiming for silverware at home. “Our focus now is on winning titles at home. We will try to win both the league and the cup. I believe we can achieve that because we have the squad and the motivation. We must win at home and return stronger next year for the CAF Confederation Cup or the Champions League,” he said.

He wants the page turned quickly. “We have a long season ahead, and overcoming setbacks is part of an athlete’s life. From Tuesday, we must turn the page, focus on our next game and approach it with the right mentality. We must also learn from this elimination and use the lessons to improve.”