With eleven Kenyan league championships, four Kenyan cup wins and four East African CECAFA Clubs Cup titles, the Tusker Football Club (Tusker FC) this morning unveiled its new signings ahead of the 2018 football season at the club’s Ruaraka training ground.
The 2016 League and Cup champions have acquired the services of eleven new players, at the same time releasing fourteen players during the transfer window, demonstrating the desire to take the team back to winning ways following a tough 2017 season.
The new signings include Apollo Otieno (Chemelil Sugar), Timothy Otieno (Gor Mahia), Peter Nzuki (Nakumatt), Edwin Lavatsa (Bandari), Bonventure Khasabuli (Muhoroni Youth), Mathew Tayo Odongo (Kariobangi Sharks), Lawrence Kasadha (KCCA), Robert Achema (Western Stima), Amos Asembeka (Sony Sugar) and Erick Ambunya (Kakamega Homeboyz). Vincent Omumbo has been recalled back to the team after being on loan at Western Stima.
In addition to the players, Tusker FC will take on the 2018 season under the stewardship of Sam Ntimbe. The Ugandan tactician takes over as Head Coach from compatriot George Nsimbe who left the side at the end of the season. He will be assisted by Francis Baraza who served in a similar capacity last season.
Veteran Timbe, is not new to the Kenya Premier league having led Sofapaka to the GoTV shield title in 2014. He joins Tusker FC from Police FC of Uganda, bringing on board vast experience, stretching back to 2004 when he led SC Villa (Uganda) to the super league title, he is a multiple CECAFA cup winner with three different clubs and has been the Uganda Cranes assistant coach on two occasions.
At the same time the club has released Anthony Ndolo, George Mandela,Moses Ndawula,Victor Ndinya,Luis Tera, Danson Kago, Noah Wafula, Martin Kizza, Clifford Alwanga, Stephen Owusu, Humphrey Mieno, Allan Wanga, Cercidy Okeyo and James Situma.
Kevin Okoth, John Ochieng and Omar Bilal have been loaned out to Western Stima, Chemelil Sugar and Modern Coast FC respectively.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Julius Karina of Kenya Breweries Limited, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to support the team and Kenyan sport in general.
“We at Kenya Breweries limited have been and will continue to be supporters of not only Tusker FC but Kenyan sport in general. We take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to supporting sports and sporting talent in Kenya.”
“We look forward to great results from this year and have full confidence that the team assembled by the club has what it takes to get us back to winning ways.” He added.
New Head Coach Sam Ntimbe expressed his confidence ahead of the new campaign, saying that he was delighted with the new signings and the side’s preparations so far.
“I am happy with what I have seen so far, during our preparations for the new season. The team is blending in well and I am confident ahead of the new season, we can’t wait to hit the ground running.”
He added that the upcoming season will be a real challenge but he believes the side has what it takes to turn around last season’s short comings.
“It will be a tough season, but I believe this side has what it takes to turn around last season’s short comings and get back to winning ways.”
Tusker FC will be seeking to get a disappointing 2017 season behind them where they finished 6th and failed in defending the GoTV shield title that they won in 2016.
Their preparations for the new season have seen them play several friendlies at their Ruaraka base, they will kick off their 2017 campaign away to Chemilil on 3rd February.
