The international break has been a blow for FKF Premier League defending champions Tusker FC, as much as it has been a blessing in disguising for the team ahead of their CAF second-round qualifying matches against Egypt’s Zamalek FC, Coach Robert Matano has revealed.Tusker are set to play the reigning Egyptian champions on Saturday, October 16, 2021, with the return leg happening a week later in Egypt.Ahead of that game, Matano has reflected on the impact that the international break has had on his side which had up to six players out on international assignment while others were out injured.⚽️| The boys stepped up training today ahead of Saturday’s clash against Zamalek SC in the CAF Champions League.#KenyaMilele #Brewers4Life pic.twitter.com/3SwAhkEqi3— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) October 12, 2021 Perhaps, Matano’s biggest reprieve will come from the timely return of Ibrahim Joshua who has been in perfect form for the Brewers since signing with them, scoring in every game that he has played including the two friendlies that the team played during the international break.Rwandese custodian Emery Mvuyekure is yet to join the team after his international assignment with Rwanda. Initially, Emery was also an injury doubt but he managed to shake off that scare and was between the sticks for his country in the two legs against Uganda in the 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers.”In terms of match fitness, it was not so good but in terms of injuries recovery, it has helped us because we had very many injuries but now nearly everybody is there. For the match fitness, we have done two friendly matches and I think they did well. We have been training every day and now everybody is around except Emery who is still in Rwanda,” Matano said.Welcome to Nairobi, gentlemen. https://t.co/pZx4tbNBp8— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) October 12, 2021 The former AFC Leopards tactician also added that the team is building up good momentum ahead of the match considering that they have not all been together since the international break kicked off.The experienced coach also exuded confidence in his charges from the spirit they have been showing in training in the few days that they have been training together and thinks they will give a good account of themselves.”We are building up good momentum now. It is a good start because we have not all been together but this week is okay and I have seen the way they are working, the spirit is there and everybody is willing to perform and I think we will give a good performance,” he added.
