By Gran Chico
September 12, 2026
Tusker FC face a defining continental test this afternoon when they welcome Sudanese side Al Ahli Wad Madani to Nyayo National Stadium for the return leg of their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round tie, with the aggregate score locked at 2-2.
Kick-off is set for 3pm, with the winner advancing to the next stage of the 2026/27 competition and the loser seeing their continental campaign come to an early end.
The Brewers will have to draw on the painful lessons of the first leg after surrendering a two-goal advantage in Kigali. Nigerian striker Victor Mbaoma gave Tusker a commanding start, converting an 11th-minute penalty before doubling the lead with a header shortly before half-time.
But Al Ahli produced a remarkable second-half response. Al-Samani Al-Sawi reduced the deficit in the 57th minute before converting a stoppage-time penalty to complete the comeback and leave the tie delicately poised ahead of the Nairobi showdown.
Tusker head coach Julien Mette has admitted that his side’s failure to protect their advantage exposed a lack of maturity, but insists the team has learned from the experience.
“Everybody said it was a positive result, but then again, when you are leading 2-0, you have to secure it. The lack of maturity cost us,” Mette said.
The Frenchman believes Tusker must avoid entering the match with a predetermined scoreline in mind and instead focus on controlling the contest.
“We have to learn from what happened in the first leg. Football at this level punishes you when you lose concentration, and we cannot afford to repeat those mistakes. We don’t want to play for a particular score. We want to play our football, control the game and win. That is the mentality we need if we want to go far in this competition,” he added.
Captain Abud Omar has also called for collective responsibility as Tusker prepare for a match where individual brilliance alone may not be enough.
“We have prepared well, and we have enough ammunition to deal with them,” Omar said.
“I told all the players that when we go onto that pitch, it is not all about Abud; it is all of us. If I cannot score a free kick, someone else needs to step up and score. It’s a team and a collective responsibility. We have to stay focused, play as a team and make sure we do not give them opportunities to punish us.”
The encounter represents Tusker’s return to continental football after a four-year absence. Their qualification came after lifting the FKF Cup with a 2-1 victory over Kenya Police before adding the Super Cup, where they defeated Gor Mahia 3-1.
Mette has since overseen a squad refresh, with Mbaoma emerging as a major attacking threat while experienced figures such as Omar provide leadership at the back. Improved fitness within the squad has also given the coach greater depth as Tusker balance domestic ambitions with their continental campaign.
Al Ahli, meanwhile, travel to Nairobi with confidence after recovering from a two-goal deficit in the opening leg. Their ability to remain in the contest despite Tusker’s early dominance means the Sudanese side will arrive knowing they only need to exploit the slightest lapse to turn the tie in their favour.
For Tusker, home advantage now provides the platform to finish the job. A victory at Nyayo would send the Brewers into the next round and keep alive their ambition of making a deep run towards the group stage.
But after throwing away a 2-0 lead in Kigali, the Brewers know this is more than a battle of tactics. It is a test of concentration, discipline and mental strength, with 90 minutes at Nyayo set to determine whether Tusker can turn first-leg promise into continental progress.
