Tusker FC coach Julian Mette has challenged his team to learn from their CAF Confederation Cup elimination and target the SportPesa Premier League and domestic cup titles this season.

The Brewers exited the continental competition after a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars, drawing 1-1 in Sunday’s return leg at the Azam Complex after losing the first leg 1-0 at Nyayo National Stadium.

Victor Mbaoma scored for Tusker in Tanzania, but the goal was not enough to overturn the first-leg deficit.

Despite the elimination, Mette praised his players for their improved performance in the return leg, admitting that a similar display at home could have produced a different outcome.

“The team is very sad and disappointed, but I am proud of the players. Today, we have no regrets. If we had played with the same intensity, energy and determination in the first leg, we would have won 2-0 or 3-0,” said Mette.

The coach maintained that Tusker were the better side in the return leg, with both the starting players and substitutes delivering improved performances.

“I still believe we are the better team. Some of our players did not perform well in the first leg, but today, everyone delivered a top performance, both those who started and those who came on as substitutes,” he added.

Mette said the players were disappointed because they believed they could have progressed had they approached the first leg differently.

“We failed to turn up in the first leg at home, and I think we were punished for that. We are a young team with young players and a young coaching staff, and the club had never reached the group stage. I hope the players learn from this experience and that we come back stronger next year,” he said.

He also pointed to missed chances as a key factor in their elimination, arguing that Tusker had created more opportunities across the two legs but failed to convert them.

“If we take into account the chances created across both legs, I think Singida had fewer opportunities than we did. However, this is the reality at the highest level. Some teams that go far in African competitions do not necessarily make many passes or dominate possession, but when they get an opportunity, they take it,” he said.

“That is the main lesson we must learn from this team. Tactically and technically, there is not much we need to learn from them, but some of their players can make the difference.”

With their continental campaign over, Mette has turned his attention to domestic silverware, insisting Tusker have the squad and motivation to challenge for both the league and cup titles.

“Our focus now is on winning titles at home. We will try to win both the league and the cup. I believe we can achieve that because we have the squad and the motivation. We must win at home and return stronger next year for the CAF Confederation Cup or the Champions League,” he said.

Mette urged his players to move on quickly from the disappointment and focus on their next assignment.

“We have a long season ahead, and overcoming setbacks is part of an athlete’s life. From Tuesday, we must turn the page, focus on our next game and approach it with the right mentality. We must also learn from this elimination and use the lessons to improve,” he concluded.