Tusker FC has arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, for the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup, with the regional tournament providing the Brewers with an important opportunity to build match fitness, strengthen team cohesion and assess the newly assembled squad ahead of a demanding 2026/27 season.
The tournament comes at an important stage of Tusker FC’s preparations, with the team set to compete on multiple fronts in the upcoming season, including the FKF Premier League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Brewers will use their matches in Kigali to give the new-look squad valuable competitive exposure as the players continue to adapt to each other and to Coach Mette’s approach ahead of the new campaign.
Tusker FC has been placed in Group C and will open its CECAFA Kagame Cup campaign against Al Hilal SC on Sunday, July 26, at Amahoro Stadium. The Brewers will then face hosts Rayon Sports FC on July 29 at Kigali Pele Stadium before rounding off their group-stage campaign against KVZ SC on August 1, also at Kigali Pele Stadium.
Speaking ahead of the team’s departure for Kigali, Kenya Breweries Limited Managing Director Andrew Kilonzo said the CECAFA Kagame Cup would offer the team an ideal platform to prepare for the challenges ahead, particularly with the club set to compete on both the domestic and continental fronts.
“Playing in the CECAFA Kagame Cup comes at an important time for us as a club. We have a demanding season ahead, and this tournament gives us the opportunity to prepare in a competitive environment. With a newly assembled team, these matches will be important in helping the players understand each other and build the cohesion required for the season,” said Kilonzo.
He added that the quality of opposition expected in Kigali would give Tusker FC an opportunity to measure its progress against some of the leading teams in the region, with the tournament featuring clubs including Simba FC, Rayon Sports, APR, Singida Black Stars and Gor Mahia.
Kilonzo further noted that the tournament would be crucial in helping the team develop a strong understanding ahead of its continental campaign, as Tusker FC prepares to return to the CAF Confederation Cup.
“The CECAFA Kagame Cup is an excellent pre-season tournament because it combines preparation with competitive football. The experience the players gain here will be valuable as we prepare for the FKF Premier League and, importantly, for continental football,” he added.
He expressed confidence that the team would benefit from the experience in Kigali and return to Kenya better prepared for the season ahead, with Coach Mette and his technical team expected to use the tournament to build a more cohesive and formidable squad.
“Our objective is to use every match to improve as a team, help the players gel and build the mentality that will be needed throughout the season. We believe the team will return home more cohesive and more formidable,” said Kilonzo.
Tusker FC will begin its campaign against Al Hilal SC on Sunday, with the team aiming to make a positive start before taking on Rayon Sports FC and KVZ SC in its remaining Group C matches. The Brewers will be looking to use the tournament to build momentum while competing for a place in the knockout stages.
The semi-finals are scheduled for August 4, with the winner of Group B set to face the winner of Group C, while the winner of Group A will meet the best runner-up. The CECAFA Kagame Cup final is scheduled to take place on August 7.
