Tusker FC suffer home defeat as Singida strike puts CAF Confederation Cup hopes at risk

Tusker FC suffer home defeat as Singida strike puts CAF Confederation Cup hopes at risk

Kinda’s second-half strike gives the Tanzanian side a crucial first-leg advantage, leaving the Brewers needing a strong response in the October 25 return fixture to keep their group-stage hopes alive.

Tusker FC suffered a setback in their CAF Confederation Cup campaign after Singida Black Stars snatched a second-half winner in their second preliminary round first-leg clash at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

The Brewers were held to a goalless draw in a closely contested first half before Singida substitute Kinda produced a moment of individual brilliance to break the deadlock, beating Eugene Ikutwa with his trickery before unleashing a stunning effort from the right side.

The goal left Tusker facing an uphill task ahead of the return leg in Tanzania on October 25, with the Kenyan side needing a strong response to keep their hopes of reaching the group stage alive.

Tusker head coach Julien Mette had urged his young squad to approach the match with confidence, insisting before kick-off that his players should focus on winning rather than becoming preoccupied with keeping a clean sheet.

The Brewers started brightly, with Eugene Ikutwa driving forward in the sixth minute and picking out Ian Simiyu. However, Simiyu’s poor first touch allowed the opportunity to slip away.

Singida midfielder Koffi Ande became the first player to be booked in the seventh minute after receiving a yellow card.

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Tusker continued searching for an opening, with Simiyu delivering a corner in the 11th minute that was cleared for a throw-in. Abdoulie Joof also attempted to create danger with a low delivery, but the hosts struggled to convert their attacking possession into clear-cut chances.

A promising passing move involving Abud Omar, Abdalla Siraj, Victor Mbaoma and Simiyu briefly exposed the Singida defence. However, the final ball intended for Joof failed to find its target, allowing the visitors to survive another spell of pressure.

Neither side managed to break the deadlock before half-time, leaving the contest evenly poised at the interval.

Singida returned from the break with greater attacking intent and eventually found the breakthrough through Kinda, whose individual brilliance punished Tusker’s defence and handed the Tanzanian visitors the lead.

Mette responded by bringing on Stephen Odima for Joof as Tusker searched for an equaliser.

The hosts tried to increase the pressure, with Alvin Mangeni winning a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Simiyu took the set-piece, but Singida’s defence blocked the effort before Siraj’s subsequent throw-in gave Tusker another opportunity to build an attack.

Kinda continued to trouble the home defence, beating John Otieno with another trick before sending his effort over the crossbar. Singida came close to doubling their advantage through Henry David, but goalkeeper Perauld Ndinga produced an important save to keep Tusker within reach.

Singida’s Hussein Bakari was later booked for a foul as the contest grew increasingly physical, while Otieno and Adam Zakaria were involved in an aerial challenge.

Desperate to find a way back, Tusker made further changes, introducing Aboubacar Doumbia for Fabian Adikiny before Warsama Houssein replaced Mangeni and Stephen Ochieng came on for Mbaoma.

Simiyu came close to restoring parity with an effort that was deflected behind for a corner, but Tusker could not find the goal they needed to level the contest.

The result leaves the Brewers with work to do in Tanzania, where the return leg on October 25 will determine which side advances to the group stage.

Tusker reached the second preliminary round after edging Sudan’s Al Ahli Wad Madani 3-2 on aggregate, while Singida booked their place with a commanding 10-1 aggregate victory over South Sudan’s El Gazira.

Before kick-off, Mette had acknowledged that Singida possessed greater experience and financial resources but maintained that Tusker had the quality to compete if they combined their technical ability with the right mentality.

The Brewers must now translate that belief into a result in Tanzania as they attempt to overturn the deficit and keep their continental campaign alive.