Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Tusker FC head coach Robert Matano has warned critics that his team is still firmly in the race to clinch the FKF Premier League title despite the poor start to the season.

The Brewers, who finished second last season behind Gor Mahia, have endured their worst start to any campaign as they find themselves sitting 12th on the 18-team table with 15 points from 12 matches, a whopping 12 points behind current leaders K’Ogalo, though they have a game in hand against Bidco United.

They have secured four wins, drawn three, and suffered five defeats and their last victory in the top-flight came in the 3-1 result against Nairobi City Stars on November 11. In their last outing, they failed to find the target as they settled for a 0-0 draw against AFC Leopards at Machakos Stadium on Monday.

Speaking after the game, a confident Matano scoffed at suggestions that they are fading away from the title race, insisting the Brewers will rise above the odds and lift the trophy at the end of the season.

“Look, we have only played 12 matches, just 12 matches and not 20, and we still have a game in hand, therefore, it will be a big mistake to write us off,” said Matano, adding: “We have found ourselves in this situation before, it is not the first time to go through a slow spell.”

Matano insisted with proper focus from his players, the Brewers will still bounce back and challenge for the title. “On many occasions if we have always risen above the odds to lift the trophy and this season will not be an exception,” said Matano.

“I don’t think this season will be different, all we need to do is to stay focused and start to win our matches, we are not badly off, there is no team in the world that does not go through such spells, we still have a chance to compete successfully with the leading park for the title, we must win our matches and that is what we want to do.”

The Brewers will return to action with a fixture against Posta Rangers at Ruaraka grounds on Sunday. Posta will head into the match having lost their previous assignment 1-0 against Nairobi City Stars to relinquish the top spot to Gor Mahia, who defeated Kariobangi Sharks 2-1.