Ulinzi Stars captain Brian Birgen/HANDOUT Ulinzi Stars head coach Mulinge Ndeto wants his revamped side to start the 2026/27 SportPesa League on the front foot when they host Tusker at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday.
After narrowly beating relegation last season, the soldiers overhauled their squad during the break. Ndeto is now demanding a sharper, more aggressive approach up front to leave their past struggles behind.
“Ulinzi Stars need to embrace their attacking DNA,” Ndeto said, calling for greater adventure and efficiency in the final third.
He stressed that the team must maintain its traditional defensive discipline while developing a much sharper cutting edge.
That new approach faces an immediate test against a match-fit Tusker side.
The brewers opened their season by defeating Gor Mahia 3-1 to claim the FKF Super Cup, then eliminated Sudanese club Al-Ahli Wad Madani to reach the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Despite the tough test, Ulinzi captain Brian Birgen remains confident after an intense pre-season that included friendlies against Nairobi United, Kenya Navy and Kariobangi Sharks.
“Despite having a young squad, I know we are up to the task,” Birgen said. “Discipline, resilience and mental strength have to be our cornerstones.”
Tusker secured their continental progress with a 1-0 victory over Al-Ahli Wad Madani last Saturday, following a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Kigali. Head coach Julien Mette wants to carry that momentum into the domestic campaign as they target local and continental success.
Having already won the FKF Cup last season and the Super Cup this term, Mette reinforced his squad by signing Nigerian striker Victor Mbaoma.
“We don't want to play for a particular score. We want to play our football, control the game and win,” Mette said.
Reflecting on their Super Cup victory over Gor Mahia, Mette praised his team's composure.
“It was a great start against the league champions and Cecafa Kagame Cup finalists. We scored three quality goals and handled their pressure well. Tactically, technically and mentally, it was a strong performance," he said.
Ulinzi can draw confidence from their last league meeting with Tusker on May 27, when a 2-0 victory helped them dodge the drop. However, key forward Paul Okoth — who scored in that match — has since joined Gor Mahia.
Ndeto knows Saturday will present a different challenge and has urged his squad to treat every match like a final. His main goal is to build a team capable of competing consistently rather than fighting off relegation again.
Tusker, meanwhile, must balance their league ambitions with their continental drive.
“Our objective is clear: we want to reach the group stage,” Mette said. “To do that, we must take these games one at a time and improve every time we step onto the pitch.”
