The simmering frustration at Ruaraka is palpable, but one man refuses to hit the panic button. Tusker FC assistant captain Thomas Teka maintains that the Kenyan Premier League title race is far from decided, insisting the Brewers still have a realistic chance of closing the gap on leaders Gor Mahia despite an inconsistent first half of the season.

Sitting in an unfamiliar 8th position with 27 points, the 12-time champions have looked a shadow of their former selves. Yet, Teka, who ascended to the vice-captaincy following Michael Kibwage's departure, radiates a calm confidence."People assume the race is over, but inside the camp, we don't share that view," the center-back declared. His belief is not blind; it is born of a squad that knows how to win.

Correcting the Lapses

The first leg was marred by uncharacteristic defensive errors and dropped points against lower-tier sides. Teka admits that the team has been its own worst enemy."A lot of our setbacks came from moments where we punished ourselves," he reflected. The focus now is on tightening the backline and rediscovering the ruthlessness that defines Tusker DNA. Internal meetings have been candid, with players taking ownership of the slump.

• The Gap: Tusker trails the leaders by a significant margin, but the second leg offers plenty of points to play for.
• Squad Depth: With experienced campaigners and hungry young talent, the Brewers have the tools to mount a comeback.
• The Strategy: A game-by-game approach, treating every fixture like a cup final to claw back up the table.

The Chase Begins

History suggests that writing off Tusker is a dangerous game. They have clawed back deficits before, and with the league entering its business end, experience will count for everything. Teka's rallying cry is a signal to the fans and a warning to their rivals: The Brewers are down, but they are definitely not out.

"We are working gradually, without panic," Teka assured. If they can turn that work into wins, the title race might just have one final, dramatic twist.