In a fiercely contested CECAFA Kagame Cup Group A match held today at Dar es Salaam’s KMC Stadium, Singida Black Stars secured a crucial 2–1 victory over Kenya Police Football Club. The win was significant as both teams were battling for top positions in a tightly fought group, with only two spots available for quarterfinal qualification.
The game started with intense energy, but it was Singida Black Stars who struck first. In the 13th minute, Elvis Ropia expertly fired the ball into the net, giving the home side an early lead and setting the tone for what would become a tactical and physical contest. Despite Kenya Police FC’s efforts to respond, Singida’s defense held firm, and the visitors found it difficult to create clear scoring opportunities. By the 26th minute, the score remained 1–0, with the match unfolding into a disciplined battle of wills between two sides unwilling to concede ground.
As the first half wore on, neither team managed to alter the scoreline, with both sides displaying defensive resilience and strategic midfield play. Heading into halftime, Singida Black Stars maintained their narrow advantage, buoyed by their home support and tactical discipline.
The second half continued in a similar vein, with Kenya Police FC pushing forward aggressively in search of an equalizer. However, Singida’s defensive organization remained solid, frustrating the visitors’ attempts to break through. The deadlock was broken again in the 78th minute when Ande Koffi doubled Singida’s lead with a well-taken goal, giving the home side a vital two-goal cushion. But Kenya Police FC showed great resilience, and just three minutes later, Charles Ouma pulled one back, reigniting hope for a comeback among the visitors.
In an effort to change the game, Kenya Police FC made tactical substitutions late in the match, bringing on Ondimo and Chasara in place of Brian Okoth and Mbombo at the 84th minute. Despite these changes, Singida Black Stars managed to hold on, making strategic adjustments to maintain control and secure the win.
The final whistle confirmed a hard-fought 2–1 victory for the Tanzanian side, a result that shifted the dynamics of Group A. With this win, Singida Black Stars moved to second place in the group with four points, having started their tournament campaign with a goalless draw against Ethiopia Bunna. Kenya Police FC, the reigning Kenya Premier League champions, had begun strongly by humbling Garde Cotes FC 4–0 in their opening match but now find themselves in a precarious position after this defeat, sliding to third place behind both Singida and Ethiopia Bunna. The Ethiopian side remains group leaders after their impressive 6–0 thrashing of Djibouti’s Garde Cotes earlier in the day.
As the tournament progresses, Kenya Police FC faces a must-win scenario, needing not only victory but a strong goal margin in upcoming matches to boost their chances of progressing to the knockout stages. Singida Black Stars, on the other hand, must continue their good form and secure a win against the struggling Garde Cotes to keep their qualification hopes alive, while Ethiopia Bunna only require a draw in their next fixture to advance.
