Tusker FC captain Charles Momanyi/HANDOUT
Tusker FC are preparing for a return to continental football after securing Kenya’s place in the 2026 CAF Confederation Cup. The club hopes the resilience forged during a grueling 2025/26 season will fuel a strong run on the African stage. Having booked their ticket to the competition through their FKF Mozzart Bet Cup triumph, the Brewers have shifted their focus entirely to continental ambitions.
As preparations intensify, newly released performance data has highlighted the heavy physical demands placed on the squad throughout the campaign. Captain Charles Momanyi emerged as Tusker’s iron man, clocking 3,796 minutes across 39 appearances in all competitions.
“Every single match this season felt like a cup final, demanding every ounce of our energy,” said Momanyi.
The veteran defender believes the experience gained from carrying such a workload will be invaluable when Tusker face Africa’s elite clubs. “Leading by example on the pitch means you cannot afford to show any signs of fatigue.”
Momanyi’s durability was matched by midfielder Fabian Adikiny, who featured in 37 matches, accumulated 2,725 minutes, and covered 292.9 kilometres.
“We knew the midfield would be a battleground, so I braced myself for constant running,” said Adikiny.
The midfielder credited the club’s support structures for helping players maintain their performance levels through the busiest stretches.
“The sports science department played a massive role in ensuring our legs didn’t give out during the final minutes. We always aimed to dominate the central areas, which meant tracking back constantly to help the defence," he observed.
Veteran striker Erick Kapaito also played a key role, featuring in 36 matches, logging 2,791 minutes, and covering 253.4 kilometres.
“As a forward, maintaining that intensity without picking up a major injury requires absolute discipline,” Kapaito said. “There were weeks where we barely had time to recover between traveling and competitive matches. Seeing your teammates fighting for every ball inspires you to push past your physical limits.”
These endurance figures underline the deep commitment that carried Tusker through a congested domestic season and back into continental competition. Momanyi noted that the statistics reflect the sacrifice required to compete at the highest level.
“When you look at the total minutes played, it shows the immense trust the technical bench placed in our abilities,” Momanyi said. “To achieve these numbers, you have to sacrifice personal comfort for the collective goals of the institution.”
The Brewers are expected to reinforce their squad before the preliminary rounds begin in September, while CAF’s $100,000 solidarity payment will provide a timely financial boost for travel and logistics.
“We wanted to set a standard that shows what Kenyan clubs can achieve with proper physical conditioning,” Kapaito said, reflecting on the milestone. “Every kilometre ran was worth it when we saw the joy we brought to our followers.”
Looking ahead, the message from the dressing room remains one of high ambition and belief as Tusker prepares for its first continental campaign in four years.
“This data motivates us to return even stronger and cover even more ground next year,” Adikiny added. “We are ready to embrace whatever challenges the next campaign brings to this football club.”
Momanyi concluded: “The fans deserved our full commitment, and these statistics show we gave everything for the badge.”
