FKFPL Eugene Asike opens up on tough spell in Sweden and reason for Tusker return

Asike returned to Tusker after nearly a year-long enforced sabbatical following his return from Sweden.

When Eugene Asike left Tusker FC for Swedish outfit Karlstrad in April 2022, all the stars seemed aligned in favor of the towering defender.

The lanky center-back had won the FKFPL Defender of the Year award in 2021, led Tusker to their 12th league crown, and then started cementing his place at the heart of the Harambee Stars defence under then-head coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee.

Everything looked cast in stone for him to make it big, having finally earned a move abroad after years of playing in the Kenyan topflight for Sofapaka, KCB, and Tusker.

However, after a year in Sweden, he was back in Kenya, being forced to train alone in efforts to find another club, until Tusker opted to give him a short-term contract in August to help him reassess his options and get his career back on track.

Speaking to Pulse Sports, Asike admitted it was a big mental challenge failing to play for a year, especially considering legal issues related to his contract at Karlstad prevented him from doing what he loved best.

“It is not easy, you have to make sure you are training well and just keeping in shape,” Asike said. “Once I sorted out my issues ‘cause I could only play once the window was open,” he added.

“It was back and forth with my team in Sweden. Once I sorted that out, I believe it was a month or so back, but I kept on training just to be in shape.

“It is not easy, I am used to playing, I am used to a routine, I am used to playing every weekend, now being out for almost four months, it was not easy but I just decided to keep on working, and when that opportunity comes, I will be ready.”

Although his spell in Sweden ended ugly, Asike opted to look on the bright side of his spell there, admitting he learned so much tactically whilst he was there.

“Playing out there in Sweden, tactically I learned a lot. They are into the small little details that you can ignore, they do not ignore. It was a good time for me. I learned a lot of tactical things out there, the tempo was different and I hope I can pass it on to my fellow teammates.

“Now I want to work again. I have my goals that I want to achieve this season, so game by game. So far, we have not had the best of starts but the team is coming up well and that is the main point.

“We just take the positives from each and every game and move forward.”

It has been a slow start for Tusker in the league. They have won just two games, drawn two, and lost two of their opening six fixtures.

Many have been critical of head coach Robert Matano for decimating most of his experienced players to bring in young fresh blood.

At 29, Asike is the most senior figure in the team, and his experience is supposed to help the young squad learn from him, he admits he has been impressed by their willingness to learn.

“For sure, we have a young team, but if you also look at our team, the positive you get from bringing in young players is that they have the hunger, they have the hunger to prove and they have their own goals that they want to achieve."

It is no coincidence that Tusker players have been celebrating their goals by dancing since his return to the side, and Asike says that dancing is a way of celebrating when you achieve something huge.

“To be honest, I love dancing, I am not going to lie about that. It is something we rehearsed. I told the guys, ‘we need to have a celebration, we just can’t stand after scoring’.

“Scoring is a hard thing. It is not easy. You have to celebrate when you get that moment, so I came up with a routine that was easier for everyone to get and that is why I told them, ‘when we score, we better celebrate’.”

As Tusker continue to find a way to get their mojo back and challenge for the title they lost to Gor Mahia last season, Asike will be hoping the lifeline he got will help him get his career back on track while helping the Brewers return to winning ways.