Tusker FC head coach Julien Mette has appealed for patience following the club’s early elimination from the CECAFA Kagame Cup, where they failed to secure a win in the group stage.
The Brewers exited the tournament after a 2-0 loss to hosts Rayon Sports in Kigali, marking their second consecutive defeat in Group C. Despite the setbacks, Mette stressed that the competition served its purpose as a preparatory platform ahead of the FKF Premier League and CAF Confederation Cup seasons.
Challenges and Learning Experience
Mette highlighted the challenges faced by the team, including a late registration that allowed less than two weeks of preparation and some players joining only days before the tournament began. He noted that the team struggled to establish attacking cohesion but gained valuable match fitness and tactical understanding.
"For us, this pre-season is like a training camp. We had limited time to prepare, and some players arrived just two days before the start," Mette explained. "We lacked a real attacking threat despite enjoying possession, but it has been a very useful experience."
Focus on Youth Development and Tactical Flexibility
The French coach emphasized the importance of exposing his youthful squad to competitive and hostile environments to accelerate their growth. Many players are experiencing this level of competition for the first time, and Mette wants them to shed any naivety ahead of the demanding CAF campaign starting in September.
Mette confirmed his preference for a 4-4-2 formation, which proved effective last season, while maintaining flexibility based on player strengths. He praised the versatility of full-back Amadou Doumbia, who can effectively operate in central midfield areas due to his background.
Injury Update and Squad Rotation
Regarding injuries, Mette provided an encouraging update on midfielder Warsama Hassan, who left the match against Rayon Sports due to discomfort but was able to walk post-game. He also commended Chrispine Erambo for his energetic performance off the bench and reaffirmed the plan to rotate players throughout pre-season to maximize competitive minutes.
Looking Ahead
Despite the early exit, Mette remains confident that the team’s gradual progress will be visible once the domestic league and continental competitions commence. With 12 new signings integrating into the squad, he believes the upcoming weeks will be crucial for cohesion.
"A pre-season takes six weeks—physically, mentally, technically, tactically and socially. By September, this team will be ready," Mette concluded.
