The Brewers went into the contest at Dandora Stadium basking in a run of four straight victories in the top-flight. The Ruaraka-based outfit had defeated Nairobi City Stars 1-0, Mara Sugar 2-1, Murang’a Seal 3-1 and Mathare United 2-0.
On the other hand, Ingwe had drawn their last assignment 1-1 against Kakamega Homeboyz but they were the most dominant side from the first whistle.
Despite seeing much of the ball, Ingwe were forced to wait until the 45th minute when Ovella Ochieng, who had scored against Abana Beingo in the previous fixture, opened the floodgates of goals after Tusker goalkeeper Joseph Ochuka had done superbly to deny Sydney Lokale penalty from the penalty spot.
Ingwe looked more marauding in the second period and they doubled their lead in the 55th minute when Lokale made amends from the missed penalty to find the back of the net after being put through on goal and sneaked the ball past Ochuka from a one-on-one situation.
AFC Leopards, who are under interim coach Fred Ambani following the sacking of Tomas Trucha, continued to dominate proceedings and it was substitute Victor Omune, who made it 3-0, from a similar situation, finishing a pass which had evaded Tusker defenders and found him unmarked at the far post.
Boniface Munyendo then drilled home the fourth, in the 79th minute, this time following a goal mouth melee. Tusker never gave up as they pulled a consolation courtesy of Boban Zirintusa, who had come on in the second half. Zirintusa, who celebrated his first goal for the Brewers, finished calmly on his weaker left foot inside the box, but it was too little too late to warrant a comeback for the title-chasing side.
The defeat saw Tusker stay third on the 18-team table with 21 points from 12 matches while AFC Leopards moved to fifth, one place below their bitter rivals Gor Mahia, with 18 points from 12 matches, though the record champions have played one match less.
Tusker were complacent and lost the game
Speaking to Flashcore, Okere, who took over on a caretaker role from veteran Robert Matano at the start of the season, admitted that his team was outplayed by Ingwe and further called out on his players for being complacent in a serious fixture.
“It was more of a psychological game because we had won four matches in a row and coming to this one we were complacent at some point and that is where we lost it, and for now is more of preparing the boys psychologically so that we approach any game that is ahead of us with the respect it deserves,” Okere told Flashscore.
Asked to pick out some of the players who didn't live up to his expectations, Okere responded: “As Tusker family we play as a team and against AFC Leopards we lost as a team, it is not a matter of who made mistakes but we lost as a team, so we need to encourage each other more but now we put our focus and energy on the next matches.”
Tusker run of four wins had seen them leapfrog from position eighth on the table to sit fourth and asked on the setback of losing when they had picked the momentum to go for the top spot, Okere replied: “First of all, I can say congratulations to AFC Leopards because there strategy worked well but for us Tusker we have lost and just like any other match, so for us now is to pick ourselves as quickly as possible.
“We have other matches ahead of us, against AFC that match has now gone (we have lost and can't reverse the result), so we need to focus on the next match.”
On what went wrong against AFC Leopards, Okere explained: “We started on a slow note and by the time we were catching up on the game it was too late, the game was over, the damage had already been done, so we must work on how to start a game on a high and finish on a high.
“Honestly speaking it is an area we have to improve on and in terms of defending again we were not good enough, we lost it, so will have to focus on the priority areas, work on our weak points, make amends and get ready again to come out stronger again.”
Okere defended his decision to substitute key player Mike Kibwage saying the player had complained of an injury which forced the technical bench to rest him. “He (Kibwage) was struggling with an injury and we thought it was wise to save him from further damage and give him a rest.
“We have other matches coming up, he is an important player for the team and we have many players in the squad, who want to play and come in and do the job, but I know he will be available for the next match.”
Okere added on the fitness level of his players: “We have two more days to recollect ourselves before the next fixture, we will observe the players after the training sessions and wait to hear from the medial staff on who is fit to play, and who is not, and then plan our starting XI for the next match.”
With Tusker the only team to have rivaled record league champions Gor Mahia for the title in recent years, Okere revealed his plans for the next mid-season transfer window.
“Every window is an opportunity to strengthen the team, when time comes we will access all the players in their respective matches they have played and if there is need, then we will beef up the squad," offered Okere. “But again we need that consistency because every time changing the team is not that healthy, but for now I have confidence with the squad I have.”
Tusker redemption in the next five matches will start with a home game against Bidco United on Sunday, December 15th, before they take on Posta Rangers on Saturday, December 21st.
The league will take a break for the festive season until January 4th when the Brewers will face K’Ogalo in a mouth-watering clash. After the Gor Mahia clash, they will travel to Gusii Stadium to face Kisii-based Glamour Boys Shabana FC on January 10th before returning home to entertain Ulinzi Stars on January 15th.
