Tusker Aim for Strong Kagame Cup Opening
Tusker FC will open their 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup campaign this afternoon against Sudanese powerhouse Al Hilal at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali
The Brewers enter Group C as one of two clubs from the country in the regional tournament, seeking an early statement result against one of Africa’s most established sides. Coach Julien Mette sees the fixture as far more than a single match, viewing the competition as vital preparation for the CAF Confederation Cup and the coming domestic season.
Mette has been clear that the priority lies in building chemistry within a largely rebuilt squad while remaining faithful to the team’s core principles. “Feeling happy, a great pleasure to be here. Wonderful facilities, wonderful pitch, so I feel excited. I want to see what will happen tomorrow. Either we win, or we lose, but the main thing is to respect the principle because we have, let’s say, six weeks to be ready for the big game in the preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup,” he said. He also acknowledged that errors are inevitable with so many new faces but urged an open-minded approach to the learning process.
The French coach recognises the scale of the challenge posed by Al Hilal, a club with deep continental pedigree that reached the quarter-finals of last season’s CAF Champions League. “For Tusker FC, it’s a big step because Al Hilal is a historical club in Africa. It’s a giant in Africa, which Tusker is not. But we hope, Inshallah, to become a top club in Africa, maybe in five years or ten years. So we have to face the best if we want to become one of the best,” Mette added. The encounter therefore offers a rare early test against elite opposition.
Assistant captain Tom Teka echoed the coach’s confidence, stressing that the squad has prepared thoroughly despite the significant changes. “As a team, we have prepared well. Most of us it’s our first CECAFA tournament, so we are ready. The team is new, but the players are not new to the game. Most of them we have known each other, and the new signings came ready. Here it’s just about finding the chemistry,” he noted. Teka insisted the side has travelled with winning ambitions rather than mere participation in mind.
After today’s opener, Tusker will meet Rayon Sports on July 29 and Zanzibar’s KVZ SC on August . Only the group winners are assured of a semi-final place, making a positive result against Al Hilal especially valuable. A strong start would give the Brewers early momentum as they pursue both regional success and readiness for the demands of the new season.
