Head coach Charles Okere and defender Alex Onchwari say the team picked up valuable lessons from gaps seen during Thursday evening’s friendly match against Kisumu-based TBM Health which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Brewers showed grit and character, coming from a goal down to share the spoils. After conceding early, Tusker responded in the second half through striker David Polepole, who rose highest in the box to power home a well-taken header.
Moments later, the Youth team graduand was inches away from doubling his tally, but his glancing header came off just wide of the upright.
Tusker’s task grew harder midway through the second half when Dennis Oalo was shown a red card, leaving the Brewers to finish the match with 10 men.
Despite the setback, the side continued to press for a winner, with Ian Simiyu coming close and later delivering a dangerous low cross that found Teddy Dok, whose shot from close range was brilliantly kept out by the TBM goalkeeper.
“I am pleased with the resilience the boys showed to come from behind and keep pushing even after going a man down. These are the kind of tests we want in pre-season because they expose the gaps we need to work on before the new campaign starts,” Okere said.
The tactician added:
“We created several good chances, which is encouraging, but our finishing and decision-making in the final third can be sharper. At the same time, we conceded from a situation that we should have defended better, so these are things we will take back to training.”
Defender Onchwari echoed his coach’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of the Kisumu training camp for team cohesion.
“We showed good character and togetherness today by fighting back from a goal down. The pre-season camp here in Kisumu has been very beneficial because it is helping us understand each other better on the pitch and also strengthen our relationships off it,” Onchwari noted.
He further explained:
“Every training session and every match here has taught us something new. As players, we are starting to build more trust in one another, and that will be key once the season kicks off. It is not just about fitness, but also about mentality and unity, and I feel we are growing stronger as a group and ready for our first match of the season next weekend.”
Tusker continue their pre-season program in Kisumu, and will face Kakamega Homeboyz on Saturday at Bukhungu before wrapping up the week-long camp.
