Tusker FC's campaign in the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup took a hit on Wednesday evening as they lost 1-0 to hosts Rayon Sports in Kigali. This defeat marks their second straight loss in Group C, following a 2-0 opening loss to Sudan’s Al-Hilal.
Coach Julien Mette made six changes to the starting lineup from the previous match, retaining only six players including Brandon Obiero and Victor Mbaoma. Despite these adjustments, Tusker struggled to convert possession into clear scoring chances against a well-organized Rayon Sports defense.
Supported by a passionate home crowd, Rayon Sports controlled much of the match and capitalized on their opportunities to secure the victory, leaving Tusker at the bottom of the group without any points after two matches.
With three goals conceded and none scored so far, Tusker now faces an uphill battle to progress. They must win their final group game against Zanzibar’s KVZ SC and hope for favorable results elsewhere to keep their slim hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.
Currently, Al-Hilal and Rayon Sports lead Group C with six points each, while Tanzania's Simba SC hold the best third-placed spot. Tusker's goal difference of minus three puts them at a disadvantage in the race for advancement.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setbacks, club chairman Charles Gacheru emphasized the tournament's value for team development ahead of the upcoming league and CAF Confederation Cup campaigns.
- CECAFA Kagame Cup offers competitive matches to build squad chemistry.
- Helps coaching staff assess the team's readiness for the new season.
- Tusker aims to leverage the experience to improve performance moving forward.
Tusker, five-time Kagame Cup champions, returned to the regional tournament with hopes of reclaiming the title. However, consecutive defeats have placed them in a precarious position, making the upcoming fixture against KVZ SC crucial for their continental ambitions.
