Africa-Press – Kenya. 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.
The centre-back, who assumed the vice-captaincy after Michael Kibwage’s transfer to Gor Mahia, believes Tusker’s experience and squad depth give them the tools to recover lost ground as the second round gathers pace.
“When you look at the standings, people assume the race is over, but inside the camp, we don’t share that view,” Teka said. “We know we dropped points that we shouldn’t have, but we also know the level of this squad. If we correct the small details and stay focused, the title is still achievable.”
Tusker finished the opening round in eighth place with 27 points from 19 matches, having posted eight wins, four draws and seven defeats — the highest number of losses among the teams currently in the top eight. For Teka, those numbers reflect lapses rather than a fundamental problem.
“A lot of our setbacks came from moments where we punished ourselves,” he said. “Individual errors cost us goals, and at this level, you don’t always get the chance to recover. The positive thing is that we’ve identified those issues and we’re working on them gradually, without panic.”
The 25-year-old revealed that the squad has engaged in honest internal conversations to address their weaknesses and reset their approach as the season enters a critical phase.
“We had open discussions as a group and said the truth to each other,” Teka explained. “We agreed that teams that beat us in the first round should not get that opportunity again. And for teams we already took points from, the target is to take all three next time. That agreement has sharpened our mindset.”
Teka believes Tusker’s history as 13-time league champions provides a valuable perspective as the pressure intensifies.
“This club knows what it takes to chase a title,” he said. “Many players here have been in situations where every match feels like a final. That experience helps you manage expectations and stay composed when the season reaches its most demanding stage.”
He also stressed that belief, rather than pressure, has defined the mood within the dressing room. “There is no sense of fear or desperation,” Teka said.
“What we have is belief and concentration. Pressure comes when you doubt yourself, and we don’t doubt our quality. We trust the work the coaches are doing and the effort everyone is putting in.”
Head coach Charles Okere has described the second round as a fresh start after what he termed a difficult opening phase. Teka echoed that assessment, acknowledging that the early struggles affected the squad psychologically.
“The slow start weighed heavily on us mentally,” he admitted. “Conceding soft goals and missing clear chances can affect confidence, especially when performances don’t match the results. But football always gives you another phase, and for us, the second round is that opportunity to reset.”
Tusker underlined their intentions by beginning the second half of the season with a 2-1 victory over KCB — a result Teka views as an important step forward.
“That win reminded us of who we are,” he said. “It wasn’t flawless, but it showed unity and resilience. Sometimes you don’t need perfection; you need character and momentum, and that’s what we took from that match.”
According to Teka, the next fixture carries added motivation as the Brewers seek consistency. “We remember how that first game went,” he said. “Not with bitterness, but as motivation. These are the matches that shape your season. If we want to stay in the title conversation, then we must approach games like this with discipline, hunger and total focus.”
As the league enters its decisive stretch, Teka insists Tusker’s ambitions remain intact. “We’re not dwelling on what went wrong anymore,” he said. “Our focus is on what’s ahead. One match at a time, one result at a time. If we stay consistent and committed, we’ll be in the fight until the end. The season is still open.”
