For the first time post the highly successful years of the legendary Robert Matano, even the most of pessimistic of fans – you bet they are a handful – can feel something something special brewing at Ruaraka.And no, not what you are thinking, but something akin the slow return of trophies with black and yellow ribbons around them, at Tusker FC.Download our MozzartSport App For More NewsAfter one-and-a-half seasons of tirelessly hanging onto illusions of hope, the turning point was finally arrived at earlier this year, bringing an end to the one-too-many lamentations of the sacked Charles Okere, to a bright new injection of belief and tangible success, by Frenchman Julien Mette.Why the decision to get off what was evidently the wrong train took too long for the Tusker board still beggars belief, but of importance is now keeping up with the new reality at the club, which now finds itself in within a shout of at the very least, making noise ahead of the upcoming 2026-2027 FKF Premier League season.Hundreds of millions spent by Kenyan academies to feature in European tournamentsPre-season performanceOne would wonder why the sudden change in expectations for a team whose levels hit the floor in the previous two seasons, but that question would arise only without a look at their preparation for the new campaign.For this one, it would be important to point out that Tusker's season ended way later than those of a host of teams in the league, something that could bite both ways; enhanced early sharpness, or late burnout.Shortly after dismissing Kenya Police in the Mozzart Bet Cup final in mid-June, The Brewers had little time to bask in the glory of their first trophy in four years, as they jumped right into their preseason in July.##NAJAVA_MECA_9922027##That came in the most fortunate and beneficial of ways, as the side landed a late invitation into the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup in Rwanda, which you would argue, they did not deserve, but also one that aided them a ton, in regards to heavyweight experience.In against more recently-accomplished sides the region would have gathered, Mette and his charges expectedly crashed out of the group stages, losing their first two matches to Al Hilal (2-0), and eventual champions Rayon Sports (1-0), before bowing out with a needed 2-0 victory over KVZ FC.A five-week period of in-house pre-season training would ensue shortly afterwards, with their only notable friendlies being a 1-0 win over Mombasa United, and a 6-1 drubbing of little-known Select FC in mid-August.In their season curtain-raiser, The Brewers were again handed a dream fixture courtesy of the FKF Super Cup, downing league champions Gor Mahia 3-1, and with relative ease.Harambee Stars-eligible defender reveals struggles he faced in his early days at WrexhamFirst five fixturesTo open their highy-expectant season, Tusker, going by their aforementioned ruthless preparation, will have a pretty fair slate of opening fixtures.The Brewers are scheduled to kick off things against Ulinzi Stars (away) on the weekend of 29-30 August, before tackling newly-promoted Migori Youth and Kakamega Homeboyz (both at home) on dates yet to be announced, given Tusker's participation in the preliminary phases of the CAF Confederation Cup.By virtue of winning the Mozzart Bet Cup, Tusker will first have to find their way past Sudan's Al Ahli Madani in the first round on Sunday, 6 September in Rwanda, before hosting the return-leg a week later.Their fourth opponent in the Premier League will be Mathare United (away) on the weekend of 19-21 September, before closing out their first five fixtures with a home game against Mara Sugar on 2-4 October.SEASON PREVIEW: 3K FC achieve 16-year Premier League dream but survival becomes paramountTransfer businessJust like in the lead-up to the 2025-2026 season, Tusker did conduct quite an overhaul, most notably waving goodbye to their experienced stalwart and skipper Charles Momanyi, who departed to Kakamega Homeboyz.Long-serving striker Ibrahim Joshua was another man to follow Momanyi to Homeboyz, linking up with fellow Tusker exits Brian Opondo, and Ugandan midfielder Denis Iguma.Rather suprisingly, Tusker also let go of goalkeeper Pavelh Ndzila to Shabana, this despite him joining the club six months earlier, and proving to be a quality signing in the dying embers of the season. Striker Selasie Bakai from Ghana, was also off-loaded.CAF advertises tenders for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in Kenya, Uganda and TanzaniaIn regards to new signings, Mette and his backroom staff went on a shopping spree in Kenya and around the continent, bringing in accomplished names to add experience to the side.Among the key incomings was Harambee Stars left back Abud Omar, who jumped ship from Kenya Police to return to familiar surroundings.As part of the Kenyan contingent, Omar was followed to Ruaraka by former Nairobi United skipper John Otieno, former Kariobangi Sharks defender Collins Ochieng, former KCB midfielder December Kisaka, former Kenya Police winger Alvin Mang'eni, the youthful Stephen Omondi, and former Ulinzi Stars left back Telena Ochieng.From overseas, Mette brought a familiar name in Nigerian striker Victor Mbaoma, Congolese goalkeeper Perrauld Ndinga (who played for the Frenchman at AS Otoho), Ivorian Aboubacar Doumbia, Gambia's Abdoulie Joof, and Djibouti's Warsama Hassan.APS Bomet 26-27 preview: Can Pamzo build on last season's survival miracle, steer club to greater heights?Player to watchGoes without saying. Ian Simiyu.The winger, who proved big for the club at the end of last season, has already showed that he is up for an even better campaign this year, as seen by how he tormented the Gor Mahia backline in the aforementioned Super Cup, to keep up with his recent hot form.Blessed with pace, technical ability, evasiveness, and precision, the former Nzoia Sugar man should prove key for Tusker on the offensive end.##NAJAVA_MECA_9922042##Young prospectWhile the jury might still be out on young left-back Collins Ochieng, I tip him to make a mark for The Brewers this season.Early signs of Mette's trust in him were evident in the Super Cup win over Gor Mahia, when he was introduced with over 15 minutes left to play, with his side defending a precious lead.His ceiling is undoubtedly high, given his past exploits that earned him a move to Denmark, and being among the youngest players signed during the off-season transfer window must surely mean something.FC Metropol HP opens international pathway for Kenyan players as top scouts arrive in NairobiThe coachBeyond his off-field antics, which apart from showing his crazy edge, somewhat paint the picture of a man the entire team rallies around, Julien Mette has rightfully carried a big chunk of what is now a transformed, and upward-looking Tusker.Having been an unknown quantity, atleast in the Kenyan football landscape, the 44-year-old coach has proved to be an astute tactician, igniting a fresh, and winning direction to a bunch of players that at some point in the previous iteration, felt it was better not to dorn a Tusker shirt.With an accomplished CV spanning from the Djibouti National Team job, to coaching Congo's AS Otoho and Rwanda's Rayon Sports, Mette is evidently on a path to restoring greatness at Tusker.©Mozzart SportPrediction: First?As stated earlier in this piece, the stars do seem to be aligning, if you are a Tusker fan.A strong end to the previous season, coupled with a tactically-sound coach and fresher faces already up and running in big games, should be a cause for optimism ahead of the new campaign.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: A look at Harambee Stars forward's impressive maiden start against Real MadridThe addition of international experience could also prove to be a big factor, all reasons which lead me to believing that they are have a real shot at winning the FKF Premier League title.My bold prediction has them going all the way to making their ninth-place finish last season a mockery, dethroning early-season favorites Gor Mahia, and showing last season's nearly-men AFC Leopards, how it is done.
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