Tough task ahead for Premier League title winners Tusker

Tusker players celebrate after winning the Premier League title on Saturday. The club needs about Sh50m to mount a strong challenge in the Africa Champions League. ISAAC WALE 

Posted  Tuesday, November 29  2011 at  00:00

 After winning the 2011 Kenya Premier League title on Saturday, hard work now begins for Tusker.

 Together with Gor Mahia who won the FK Cup last month, the newly crowned league champions will represent Kenya in the continental club championships next year.

Tusker will play in the Africa Champions League while Gor Mahia will be the country’s flag bearer in the CAF Confederations Cup.

The clubs will need at least Sh50 million each to mount a strong challenge in the continental competitions.

‘’We have to recruit well and strengthen the squad if we want to go far in the Champions League,’’ said Tusker coach Sammy Omollo.

Tusker beat Congo United by a solitary goal on Saturday in Mumias. It was all they needed to clinch their ninth league title. With 58 points, they built an unassailable haul and Ulinzi Stars’ 3-0 win over Rangers counted for nothing. The outgoing champions had to settle for the second position.

Going into the final matches, both Tusker and Ulinzi had equal chances of winning the league title. But with Tusker facing modest opposition in already relegated Congo United, they had the upper hand.

Mr Omollo said it was not easy lifting the title. “Staying on top was not easy. The players had to work hard every day. But now we can celebrate because we are the champions and that is all that matters.’’

With the win, Tusker will pocket Sh1 million, presented at the KPL Gala Night on December 7, but with the continental championship beckoning, that is a drop in the ocean. This season, Sofapaka spent Sh50 million on CAF Confederations Cup events. Club president, Elly Kalekwa, said Tusker should be prepared to spend more.

“It is expensive because apart from just recruiting players, they will have to spend on air fare and hotel cost. Its not easy,’’ said Mr Kalekwa.

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    Tusker will also be the country’s representatives in the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) club championships next year. “It’s a bumper year for us and we will have to be at out best to play in all of these competitions,’’ said Mr Omollo.

Total support

Tusker chairman Hery Emuye said the club will get all the support required from East Africa Breweries Ltd, the sponsors.

“We are happy to be the champions and the sponsors are proud of the achievement. Because we know the task ahead, we are assuring the team of total support from management and sponsors,’’ said Mr Emuye.

Ulinzi Stars put up a strong challenge for the title until the final day. Their ambitions were, however, messed up days earlier when they lost 2-0 to Sofapaka in Nairobi.
Source:http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Tough+task+ahead+for+Premier+League+title+winners+Tusker/-/539444/1280942/-/78k3q0/-/