Kenya Police FC are through to the second round of the CAF Champions League preliminaries ,but only just. A 2-0 defeat to Mogadishu City Club at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday evening saw them scrape through on the away goals rule after a nervy 3-3 aggregate finish.
Backed by a spirited crowd and the ever-energetic Police Band, the Kenyan champions started brightly, bossing early possession. The first five minutes saw promising build-up play, but they lacked composure in front of goal. A wasted free kick in the 10th minute and a scrambled clearance after Albert Otieno’s 15th-minute cross set the tone for a frustrating half.
Despite dominating play, wastefulness from Daniel Sakari and Otieno down the right flank cost Police dearly. Against the run of play, Mogadishu struck in the 34th minute , a simple through ball finding Marsis, who lobbed the advancing Ndiaye to silence the home crowd.
Police tried to respond immediately. Sakari’s long throw in the 38th minute was headed over by David Simiyu, and by halftime, the visitors still held a 1-0 lead. The aggregate stood at 3–2 in Police’s favour, but the mood at Nyayo was anything but calm.
Halftime was marred by chaos in the stands. A group of Somali fans was chased from a section of the VIP area, prompting stewards to step in and calm agitated Kenyan supporters. The unrest is believed to have been triggered by a viral video showing two Somali fans stepping on a Kenyan flag ,an act that stoked patriotic outrage in the stands.
Burundian tactician Etienne Ndayiragije made a triple substitution at the break, introducing Eusters Chasara, Edward Omondi, and David Okoth. However, it was Mogadishu who came out firing.
In the 54th minute, Bangura was brought down in the box, and the referee didn’t hesitate to award a penalty. The forward stepped up and coolly slotted past Ndiaye to level the tie 3–3 on aggregate and give Mogadishu a 2–0 lead on the night.
Police threw on Moise Mbombo just before the hour mark, and later Kenya international Marvin Nabwire , hoping his CHAN and Harambee Stars experience could swing momentum. Mogadishu responded with a triple change of their own, keeping fresh legs across the pitch to hold onto their aggregate lifeline.
Tensions escalated again in the 80th minute when Mbombo collided with Mogadishu’s goalkeeper, who required medical attention. It delayed the game, but the visitors held firm when play resumed.
A late free kick in the 87th minute was once again wasted by the hosts, summing up a toothless display in front of goal. Eight minutes of additional time failed to yield a breakthrough for either side.
Despite the loss, Kenya Police advance to the second round, where they await the winner between Jamus FC of South Sudan and Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman .
