Tusker FCs title success brewed by Uganda coach Nkata

Tusker FCs title success brewed by Uganda coach Nkata

Jubilant Tusker FC players led by their injured captain James Situma credited Ugandan coach Paul Nkata for masterminding their stirring domestic double as they celebrated being crowned the 2016 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions in Nakuru on Sunday.

The Brewers clinched their 11th domestic league title with a game to spare after sinking AFC Leopards 1-0 in a an edgy encounter as they reclaimed the crown they last won in 2012 to add to the GOtv Shield Cup they scooped earlier.

Their remarkable run ended the reign of record 15-time champions Gor Mahia who have held on to the trophy since the last time Tusker won it under Robert Matano.

Walking in crutches amidst the small crowd that poured to the Afraha pitch after the final whistle, Situma could not hold back tears of joy as he told of the success story he says was authored by Nkata.

“One of the key secret to our success is our coach. He is not only a coach but a father to us.

“He has been able to bring another level of togetherness in the team that was not there before. Besides training, we have been talking to keep our focus and maintaining discipline and hard work which God has finally crowned with the title,” the skipper charged.

Situma, who won his first KPL title with Sofapaka in 2009, also hailed the Nkata-led technical bench for the players they signed in the June transfer window, saying they were instrumental in delivering the gong to Ruaraka.

“The players we acquired in June have been great. Hashim Sempala, Allan Wanga and Robert Omunuk came to fix gaps that we had in their respective departments.

“Sempala marshalled the midfield, while Omunuk’s performance in defence speaks for itself. Wanga was exceptional, you could be sure his presence in the attack meant something,” he added.

He noted the June additions settled fast in the team, an observation Harambee Stars international forward Wanga concurred with.

“I can only thank God for this, it’s true every club I have played for wins titles since I started professional football. I’m happy to be part of this team and for the part I have played since I joined.

“It was a short time but I was able to fit in fast,” offered the striker, who has won national leagues in Angola, Sudan, Azerbaijan and Tanzania.

The captain of the day Humphrey Mieno, who almost left Tusker for Gor in June, maintained it was his destiny to lift the trophy with his current employers.

“It feels great; we had to do it today. It’s true I almost left Tusker but God knew I would be here at such a time.

“I won’t talk about the future for now, I am a Tusker player and it’s time to celebrate, the soft spoken midfielder told.

On next season, Situma believes they are capable of doing even more if the current team remains intact.

“We can defend our two titles. The mistake most clubs do is changing most of the players forcing the team to start afresh. I’m however sure this won’t happen in Tusker because of the vision of the management there.

“We just need a few additions and we will be good to go,” he concluded.

The new champions will however wait until next weekend to be presented with the trophy after playing their last league match against dethroned champions Gor.

Fittingly, Nkata’s compatriot, Shaffique Batambuze sunk in the 64th minute winner after connecting emphatically with a corner from Mieno that saw Tusker open an unassailable four-point lead with a game to go to wrap the season.

They will now represent Kenya at next season’s CAF Champions League having been given the license to compete at the elite continental club competition.

Ulinzi Stars whom Tusker beat to the GOtv crown will now take their place in the CAF Confederation Cup, the second-tier continental club competition next season.

-Congratulations Tusker-

The new KPL champions parent sponsors, Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), wasted little time to congratulate the team for their triumph adds Bernard Ndong.

KBL Managing Director, Jane Karuku, dispatched a press statement on Sunday evening hailing Nkata’s charges for clinching the title under immense pressure from Gor who staged a late rally to beat them to the crown.

“Congratulations to Tusker FC on completing a historic season, winning the league and cup double for the first time in their 47 year history.

“I watched in jubilation as the side beat AFC Leopards 1-0 at the Afraha Stadium to clinch the league title to add on to the GOtv Shield title they picked up late last month. I have been following the team’s performances closely and I must say I have been immensely impressed throughout the season,” she stated.

“This historic season has been the culmination of a lot of hard work by the players, management and the brand team at Tusker. At the beginning of the season, we set out specific targets together with the players and their management.

“We put up incentives to make sure the side remained motivated through the season. I am happy to see that those measures have bore fruit. As part of the KBL family, Tusker FC remains core to our company’s principle of supporting and building our youth through sports,” her statement added.

She promised the team will receive full support as they embark on their next quest to conquer the continent.

Tags:

tusker fc. Kenyan Premier League football Humphrey Mieno Allan Wanga KPL Champions Paul Nkata Shaffique Batambuze

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