Tusker Youth assistant coach Paul Adera says the team is focused on starting the second leg of the FKF Division II League strongly this Friday, as they push on with their ambition of gaining promotion at the end of the season.
The Tusker youngstars will kick off their second leg away to City Sports FC and Adera says they have prepared well to start with a win. The first leg encounter with the side ended in a 6-0 victory at Ruaraka.
“We have been preparing really well and the boys are ready. We have made it clear to them that in the second leg every game is a final for us. We have to get as many wins as possible for us to push on to our target, which is to gain promotion,” Adera said, as the team started their matchweek preparation.
The team finished the first leg in fourth place, with 27 points, 10 behind league leaders Royal Fresh FC. Their ambition is to fight fir top spot.
“We have analyzed how we played in the first leg and picked up what we need to improve on. The priority is on our scoring. In the first leg, we would get many chances but not convert. We also drew many games which we believe we should have won,” Adera further opined.
The team added in four new players in the January transfer window, and the assistant coach is optimistic they will provide a much needed depth in the second leg, especially now that they have gelled in well with the rest.
“Now they understand our philosophy, they understand what we want as a team and also they have gelled well with the rest. They have brought in a lot of new energy which we needed and will be a crucial asset in the second leg,” Adera noted.
Meanwhile, the coach says they are delighted as a technical bench to see more Youth Team players incorporated into the senior team. This season, captain George Odhiambo, his assistant David Polepole and forward Douglas Omanga have all been included in senior team matches.
Polepole has emerged as the star, with two goals and an assist in four matches.
Also, Antony Okoth and Stephen Kimani have been invited to train with the senior team on several occasions.
“That is our joy as a technical bench because it shows that we are doing a good job. Our aim is to make these boys take the next step in their careers. If not Tusker FC, then another top team. The aim of a Youth Team is to produce players for the big stage and after two years as a player, you should be able to have improved. Having these players up there encourages us a lot,” he added.
