KCB Football Club head coach Robert Matano has linked the side’s first win of the new Kenyan Premier League 2025/2025 season against his former employers Tusker FC 2-O at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Friday, September 19, 2025 to team work and cohesion.

Speaking after the vital win in the league opener, Matano, who has been with the Bankers for barely two months, revealed that his men played according to his philosophy and culture.

Former Gor Mahia forward Boniface Omondi Owino (Bajaj) gave the visiting team the opening goal in the 18th minute before wrapping up his brace in the 41st minute to hand the Bankers maximum points in the encounter.

Matano, Okere weigh in on the league opener

”The cohesion, the determination and the way we have prepared as a team, I think the boys have played the way we have been training. We have been together for two months, and from the results I have seen, they have already gelled,” Matano said.

On the game plan, Matano said; ”Of course, you have to keep the ball and lock the spaces, try to have combination play and maintain the ball. It worked out so well. We have started, the journey is still long, 33 matches to go, yes, that is what I do most, I have to nurture players. We have a solid team, and we have to learn from one another,” Matano added.

Despite the first win of the campaign, Matano said the journey is still long, further adding that there is still more to come from the squad.

On the other side, Tusker FC head coach Charles Okere conceded defeat and also rued the missed chances of the match. Erick Kapaito had a chance to half the deficit for the Brewers in the 60th mark but placed his penalty wide, missing the mark.

”First game of the season and I believe a tricky encounter, KCB is a strong team also also, For us we congratulate the opponent for the points. For us I believe we could have done better. It is a game that we had planned well; unfortunately, we conceded those two goals,”’ Okere noted.

The Tusker tactician also believes there is room for the new signings to adopt quickly to the team’s playing style.

”Well, they are good players and believe they should adapt quickly in terms of our philosophy and playing style. I believe that, given more minutes in training and even in matches, they can do better because it is all about cohesion in the team, and the game is something we have to improve. We had scoring opportunities, which is something we have to improve on in our next match. That is pressure already, and we have to adapt quickly so that we catch up with the rest of the pack,” Okere noted.