Tusker FC head coach Charles Okere has refused to dwell on the "shambolic" 4-0 demolition by AFC Leopards, instead insisting his side has unearthed a "psychological edge" ahead of their high-stakes clash against Bandari.

In a post-match post-mortem that has raised eyebrows across the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL), Okere described the humiliation at Nyayo National Stadium not as a disaster, but as a "necessary awakening." With the Brewers now trailing league leaders AFC Leopards by six points, the tactician argues that the stinging defeat has recalibrated the squad’s mental fortitude just in time for the coastal assignment.

"We Needed the Shock"

"Football is played in the mind first," Okere told reporters at the Ruaraka training grounds, dismissing fears of a confidence crisis. "The 4-0 result was painful, yes. It was embarrassing for a brand like Tusker. But in the debris of that loss, I saw players who are now angry. I saw a team that realizes talent alone won't win the title. We have picked the positives—specifically the creation of chances in the first half—and we are converting that anger into fuel for Bandari."

The "positives" Okere alludes to likely refer to a brief 20-minute spell where Tusker dominated possession before crumbling defensively. Critics, however, point to a porous backline that looked lost against Leopards’ pace. The coach’s defiance sets the stage for a redemption arc or a deepening crisis.

• The Bandari Challenge: The Dockers, known for their defensive solidity at home, will test Tusker's "newfound anger." Bandari has conceded only 5 goals at Mbaraki Sports Club this season.
• Squad Rotation: Insiders suggest Okere will wield the axe, with goalkeeper Brian Bwire likely to be benched after the Nyayo horror show. "Nobody is safe," Okere hinted. "If you don't show me the hunger to rectify the Leopards mistake, you don't travel."
• Title Implications: A second consecutive loss would arguably end Tusker’s title charge before February, leaving them chasing shadows in a league they used to dominate.

Tactical Reset

Okere revealed that training this week has focused exclusively on "transition discipline"—the very weakness AFC Leopards exploited. "We were naive," he admitted. "We attacked with ten men and forgot to defend. Against Bandari, you will see a pragmatic Tusker. We are going there to grind a result, not to entertain."

As the team departs for Mombasa, the pressure is squarely on Okere. The "positives" he claims to have seen must translate into points. In the unforgiving ecosystem of Kenyan football, philosophy is a luxury; winning is the only currency that matters.