Etienne Ndayiragije Targets CAF Breakthrough for Kenya Police After Bagging SJAK Award

Kenya Police FC head coach Etienne Ndayiragije. IMAGE/ Handout

Etienne Ndayiragije Targets CAF Breakthrough for Kenya Police After Bagging SJAK Award

Abigael Wafula 18:00 - 10.07.2025

Etienne Ndayiragije is eyeing CAF Champions League success with Kenya Police after being named SJAK Coach of the Month for June.

Kenya Police FC coach Etienne Ndayiragije has bagged the June SJAK/Betika Coach of the month award following his exploits with the law enforcers.

The Burundian is now the second foreign tactician to win the award this year after South African Carlos Katywa, who handles Kabras Sugar RFC, won the coveted title in April.

Etienne Ndayiragije joined Kenya Police in November 2024 and has made significant strides with the club from relegation candidates to league champions. Following his triumph, the tactician will walk away with Ksh 100,000 and a personalised trophy.

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Etienne Ndayiragije won the award thanks to his exploits that guided Kenya Police to their maiden FKF Premier League victory after beating Shabana 1-0 on June 15.

In their final match of the league, where the Law Enforcers received the guard of honour, they drew 1-1 against Gor Mahia at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on June 22.

Nairobi United’s Nicholas Muyoti came in second for steering his club to the National Super League title and the FKF Cup title.

Kenya Pipeline's coach Geoffrey Omondi and GSU's Gideon Tarus shared third place after guiding their teams to reclaim the Kenya Volleyball Federation National League titles during the play-offs at Kasarani Gymnasium.

Kenya Police FC Coach Etienne Ndayiragije Dreams Big Ahead of CAF Champions League

Kenya Police FC
©Kenya Police FC

Following the award, an elated Etienne Ndayiragije went down memory lane on when he took over the club and guided them to the league title.

He pointed out that the award is motivation enough for him to make a mark on the continental stage, as Kenya Police gear up for the CAF Champions League.

“I thank God. I am very happy, and coming from relegation to here, it has been God. Every team brought its intensity. There was no easy match. We approached every game like a final,” he said.

“It gives me the motivation that even when we go to the continental stage, we do it like we have managed locally. I want to win this award again, so I will put in more effort.”

On his part, SJAK President James Waindi highlighted that the Coach of the Month Award continues to reward excellence and boost the enthusiasm of coaches nationwide. He added that the Association is delighted to have Betika on board supporting the initiative.

“The Award cuts across all sports, serving as a motivating factor for our coaches to go the extra mile in the field of play,” Waindi said.

Japheth Akhulia, Betika Marketing Manager, remarked: “As a key stakeholder in the vast sporting ecosystem, we are proud of our sponsorship of the Coach of the Month Award, the biggest monthly award in the country at present."

Akhulia concluded that as a corporation, they believe in the unifying power of sports that brings different cultures together and aim to continue rewarding excellence.