Tusker FC assistant coach George Maina said they will return to the football scene stronger after ending this campaign without a trophy.
The brewers had a mathematical chance of dethroning Gor Mahia after beating Kenya Police 1-0 on Saturday, hoping other results go their way, including the champions losing all their four matches.
However, their dreams were shattered 24 hours later after K’Ogalo hammered Muhoroni Youth 3-0 to attain an unassailable 67 points with three games left.
“We congratulate Gor for winning their 21st league title but we have to stop their dominance after winning their ninth title in 14 years. They outplayed everyone to the summit while we depended on other teams in the final stretch, making it difficult,” said the former Kenyan international.
Maina believes injuries played a big part in their trophyless season, having crushed out of the FKF Cup race in a 1-0 defeat to Kakamega Homeboyz on April 31.
“Former Golden Boot and KPL Most Valuable Player winner Eric Kapaito stayed out for three months with a knee injury while Tanzanian import Ibrahim Joshua had a lengthy hiatus due to a knee problem, leaving just Deogratious Ojok and John Njuguna as our main men up front,” said Maina.
The 12-time KPL champions operated with a lean squad after three more key players — Mike Oduor, David Odoyo and Tom Teka, also had a lengthy time in the sick bay.
Defender Mike Kibwage was slotted in midfield after Kenyan international Chrispine Erambo was sent off against Nzoia Sugar, leaving the experienced pair of Eugiene Asike and Charles Momanyi at the heart of the defence, something Maina believes brought a different perspective to their game.
Meanwhile, new signing Erambo, who is in the provisional Harambee stars for the World Cup qualifiers against Cote d’Ivoire and Burundi, said losing at home and away to the champions was a major setback in the title race.
Maina has, however, congratulated his charges — led by captain Brian Bwire — for giving their best, especially in the second leg.
This rally helped Robert Matano’s side finish second despite a poor start to the season, which had left the coach’s job at stake, especially after a four-match winless streak.
“We have three important matches after a deserved three-week Fifa international break before the technical bench and management reflect on what went wrong,” said Maina.
“We also expect to part ways with several players and also beef up our squad as we plot for our 13th Premier League title next season,” concluded Maina.
