Head coach Charles Okere says he was impressed with the returns from Saturday afternoon’s friendly against Kenya’s Under-20 national team, the Rising Stars, who are preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) later on this month.
Tusker FC won 3-2, with coach Okere using the match to prepare for next weekend’s FKF Premier League tie against Nairobi City Stars while the U20 boys had this as their last build up match ahead of their departure to their maiden continental appearance.
“We have achieved the objective of this test match because they have pushed us well and showed us where to improve. Top of this is our defending but the positive thing is that we scored three goals, something that has been our undoing most of the second leg. There were so many positives to pick,” coach Okere said.
He added; “They (Rising Stars) gave us the intensity we needed and one which we anticipate next weekend against City Stars. It was a good build up and we shared the minutes among almost every player apart from one or two who are still on the recovery path from injury. We now have the whole week to plan and get everyone in shape ahead of the weekend.”
In the friendly played at the Police Sacco Stadium, Tusker broke the deadlock via a penalty, converted by Deogratious Ojok following a handball inside the box.
Rising Stars levelled at the stroke of halftime on the other end via the same way, Baron Ochieng converting after skipper Charles Momanyi handled as he tried to block a shot.
In the second half though, with changes made to the team, the boys increased the tempo and they were 2-1 up when Dennis Oguta beat the keeper one on one before tapping into an empty net. Ian Simiyu then thumped home the third minutes later with a brilliantly taken freekick.
Rising Stars made for some nervous ending when a quickly started freekick freed up Ezekiel Omuri on the right, the latter’s cross being inadvertently turned into his own net by Alex Onchwari as he tried to block.
Coacxh Okere fielded his entire squad, apart from John Njuguna, Mike Oduor and Thomas Omolle, who are all just starting off their integration with the first team after recovering from injury.
Also handed minutes in the match is Youth Team player Douglas Omanga.
