Veteran Tusker FC head coach Robert Matano has hinted of using their Friday international friendly fixture against Silver Strikers of Malawi to assess the calibre of his new signings ahead of the new season.
Tusker splashed cash on six new players to beef up their squad and Matano is expected to hand them playing time against the visiting Malawians who have camped in Kenya for their pre-season.
Strikers are gearing towards representing their country in the Caf Confederations Cup and have been pitted Gabonese side Cercle Mberi Sportif and chose to camp in Kenya in preparations for the continental assignment. The club successfully negotiated for a friendly match with the former Kenyan champions, who Matano believes will offer the platform to gauge his new catch.
Tusker acquired the services of former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Mike Madoya (Zoo Kericho), Hillary Wandera (Nzoia Sugar), Sammy Mejja (Thika)
before pouncing on Ugandan Aloro Rodgers who was a free agent after being released by Sofapaka at the end of the past season. The club also signed Clyde Senaji from Vihiga United and Rwandese international Muzerwa Amin from Police FC. Tusker will be seeking to end their two-year trophy drought having last won the league in 2016 and the Shield Cup. “Tusker FC will host Malawian 2017 Airtel Cup champions Silver Strikers in an international friendly match at Ruaraka grounds. After a series of trial and practice matches, this will be the first real test for Tusker ahead of the 2018/2019 season. Tusker head coach Robert Matano will be checking out on the new players he has recruited in his squad going into next season which is two weeks away and also to keep the players’ competitiveness in check,” read a statement from the club.
“Silver Strikers is coached by Young Chimodzi. They have 8 Malawian Premier League honours, two Malawi FAM Cup, one for BP Top 8 and recently Airtel Top 8.The Malawian’s representatives at the 2018 Caf Confederations are heading to Gabon where they are set to play Cercle Mbéri Sportif on November 27.”