NAIROBI, Kenya, July 21- Domestic League champions Tusker FC made a humbling exit from the 2012 Cecafa Kagame Club Cup tournament on Saturday after a barren draw with Azam FC of Tanzania condemned the Brewers to one of the worst ever performances at the regional tourney.

Head coach, Sammy Omolo, was left to rue the missed opportunity for the Kenyans to win a sixth crown after his team failed to find a goal in their three-team Group ‘C’, vacating places in the quarter finals to Azam and Mafunzo of Zanzibar.

Tusker had earlier drawn 0-0 with Mafunzo and return home on Sunday, no doubt to resume Kenyan Premier League action, from which they had been exempted until July 28, when the tournament here is set to end.

Custodian Boniface Oluoch saw red for Tusker after handling the ball outside the box following confusion with defender and captain Joseph Shikokoti who endured a torrid afternoon, coming close to giving Azam the lead with an own goal at the start of the second period.

Winger Andrew Murunga had to be sacrificed for second choice keeper Samuel Odhiambo as Omollo rued the sending off in the 51st minute.

“We are disappointed because we really wanted to go far, but I know we give it our all in this game and played well

“However the unfortunate thing happened when we lost our man and had the numerical disadvantage, we had to change our tactics but it didn’t work in the end,” said Omollo after the match.

In March this year, they failed to go beyond the first round of the CAF Champions League in their previous outing after reclaiming the domestic title they last won in 2007.

TEAMS:

TUSKER – 1. Boniface Oluoch: 18. Joseph Shikokoti (captain), 5. Jockins Atudo, 15. Humphrey Okoti, 26. David Ochieng’, 4. Joseph Mbugi, 17. David Nyanzi Makumbi, 24. Jerry Santos, 28. Andrew Murunga, 23. Peter Opiyo, 8. Joshua Oyoo

Reserves – 20. Samuel Odhiambo, 25. Luke Ochieng’, 22. Maurice Odipo, 10. Dennis Mukaisi, 21. Frederick Onyango, 19. Patrick Kagogo, 9. Obadiah Ndege

Coach – Sammy Omollo [Kenya]

AZAM – Deogratius Munishi: 13. Aggrey Morris (captain), 6. Erasto Nyoni, 21. Ibrahim Shikanda, 12. Joseph Owino, 29. Bolou Kipre, 10. Tchetche Kipre, 4. Ibrahim Mwaipopo, 19. John Raphael Bocco, 17. Ramadhan Chombo, 22. Khamis Mcha Khamis

Reserves not used – 1. Ally Mwadini, Gk; 11. Samir Haji Nuhu, 15. Said Morad, 7. George Odhiambo, 16. Mrisho Ngasa, 25. Jabir Aziz, 18. Gaudence Mwaikimba

Coach – Stewart J Hall [England]