- Tusker FC head coach Julien Mette was left with no regrets despite his side’s CAF Confederation Cup exit.
- The Brewers bowed out in the qualifying round following a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Singida Black Stars.
- Tusker will return to SportPesa League action on Thursday for their second match of the season against Mathare United.
Tusker FC head coach Julien Mette was left with no regrets after his side’s dream of reaching the 26/27 CAF Confederation Cup group stage was crushed by Singida Black Stars in the second leg of the qualifying round.
Despite a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Azam Complex on Sunday night in Tanzania, the Brewers bowed out with a 2-1 aggregate defeat, having lost the first leg 1-0 at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium.
While Victor Mbaoma grabbed a late away goal, Tusker’s hopes were ultimately dashed as Jonathan Sowah’s second-half strike, coupled with Jeancy Mboma’s first-leg goal, sealed a 2-1 aggregate triumph for Singida, sending Papi Kimoto’s charges into the CAF Confederation Cup group stage for the second consecutive time.
ALSO READ: Singida end Tusker’s CAF Confederation Cup dream with slim aggregate win
However, despite the painful exit over the two-legged encounter, in which the 12-time SportPesa League champions created numerous chances, the French tactician was proud of his team.
He believed they had performed better in the second leg and wished they had shown the same intensity in the opening match.
“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,” said Mette.
He maintained that Tusker were the better side and deserved to win, although some players failed to rise to the occasion, particularly in the first leg.
“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.
“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.
ALSO READ: Blunt Tusker FC fall at home to Singida Black Stars in CAF Confederation Cup tie
Mette believes the main area Tusker need to improve is their finishing in the final third, insisting there was little else they could take away from their opponents.
“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.
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,” he added.
Tusker FC turn to a double domestic win
Mette has now shifted his attention to domestic competitions, refusing to give up on Tusker’s ambitions after their continental disappointment.
He believes his squad has what it takes to secure a double this season by winning the FKF Cup and reclaiming the SportPesa League title.
“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.
Tusker have played just one league match this season, opening their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Ulinzi Stars.
They will return to action on Thursday, October 29, when they visit Mathare United at Police Sacco Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm.