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FKF-PL: Police drop points in stalemate with AFC Leopards
AFC Leopards' Ovella Ochieng (right) beats Kenya Police's Aboud Omar to the ball during their FKF Premier League match on March 4, 2025 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County.
What you need to know:
- AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani was satisfied with the result, acknowledging Police’s quality.
- "Police is a good team, and getting a draw against them is a plus. We studied them in the first half and made changes in the second half, but the results did not favor us. It was God's plan, and we are content with the one point," said Ambani.
Kenya Police FC head coach, Rwandan Etienne Ndayiragije, remains optimistic about his team’s chances of winning their maiden Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) title.
The league leaders missed an opportunity to extend their lead at the top on Tuesday after settling for a goalless draw against AFC Leopards at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County.
"One point is not bad in the league, considering that we lost to them in the first leg. We had planned for three points, but things did not go as expected. We still have a lot to do as we chase the title," said Ndayiragije.
Police lead the table with 42 points, just one ahead of former champions Tusker FC. Defending champions Gor Mahia and KCB are tied at 36 points in third and fourth place, respectively, while Leopards sit fifth with 35 points.
Gor have a chance to reduce the gap on the top two when they face Kariobangi Sharks on Wednesday at Dandora Stadium.
"The league is very competitive, and we keep working hard, especially on the pitch. We have new players in the squad, and I am happy with their contribution so far. I push them every day. With the nature of my job, I take each match at a time," he added.
Ndayiragije, who became the eighth Police FC coach in three years, signed a six-month contract in November last year. He replaced Salim Babu, who was dismissed along with his entire technical staff on November 21, due to poor results.
When he took over, Police were languishing in 15th place with just eight points from one win, four draws, and two losses in seven matches.
The former coach of Tanzania’s Azam FC, as well as the Taifa Stars and Burundi men's national teams, joined the team while it was battling relegation, with three games in hand.
Ninth meeting
Police had an early chance to break the deadlock in the 13th minute, but their goal was disallowed for offside by linesman Boniface Karanja.
This was the ninth meeting between the two teams across all competitions. They have faced off eight times in the league and once in the Mozzart Bet Cup, with Police securing four wins and two draws in their past encounters.
In the second half, Ndayiragije made a triple substitution, bringing in Alfred Leku and Daniel Sakari to bolster the attack, while defender Abud Omar made way for striker Clinton Kinanga, Francis Kahata, and Abud Omar.
Police came close again in the 52nd minute when striker Boniface Munyendo unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but it struck the post and bounced back into play.
AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani was satisfied with the result, acknowledging Police’s quality.
"Police is a good team, and getting a draw against them is a plus. We studied them in the first half and made changes in the second half, but the results did not favor us. It was God's plan, and we are content with the one point," said Ambani.