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This week, I have been thinking about the season Tusker FC have had, the ups, the downs, the dissapointments, the bye-bye's.. All sorts of things.
I have never (since I started supporting the club) witnessed a flowless season, where we have won the league in a straightforward way.
2007 was maybe one of those where there was not too much drama, but in reality, it was caused by lack of good competition.
Last season was toxy-turvy, while this one is turning out to be trickier. As with every season though, there are the highlights and the not so lovely moments.
Here are my moments so far of the 2012 season.
Pinches arrival
If there is a player who has over the years been highly underrated, it has to be Peter Opiyo.
Once of Thika United and Gor Mahia, and Thika again, his trademark has been his passing ability and eye for the pass that no one else can see.
Humphrey Mieno aside, in my opinion, there is no better player in the centre of the midfield that Opiyo.
At Tusker, he has eveloved to some extent and added a bit of edge to his game.
He can no longer be bulllied off the ball and can score the odd goal. In my opinion, the best Tusker signing of the season.
Pamzo and Pudo exit
If there are two people who know Tusker FC inside out, then it is Neville Pudo and Sammy Omollo.
They are long-serving lieutenants of the club and love the place too, they have been born and bred there.
Their exit hurt because they know what it means to represent the club and are not afraid to put their lives on the line for the cause. They are trustworthy and faithful.
Seeing them leave was sad because now, there are no real Tusker men on board, no one is Tusker through and through, you can't say that you can trust those people there with the club.
With them on board, I still feel we would have been in the same position as now, top of the table.
Mandela missed
To this point, there has only been one decision made, that hurt the club, which is the sale of Brian Mandela.
Since arriving from Rangers FC, Mandela was one of the best defenders the Kenyan Premier League had. He was the best at Tusker too, if I have my say.
His combination with Joseph Shikokoti in the heart of defense was solid.
With him, we could allow the front players to move up the pitch and attack without too many worries.
When he left, the pressure on the defence increased and the midfield was forced deeper and deeper, thus the lack of supply and eventual struggles to score goals.
He was a really good talent and a player we miss to this day.
Title challenge
I think that we still have a good chance of retaining the title, and if we can do so, with the above circumstances, it would be the sweetest Tusker win I have seen.
