Former Harambee Stars Midfielder Offers Key Advice to Kenya Police FC Ahead of CAF Challenge

The former AFC Leopards midfielder has shared key advice to help Kenya Police FC prepare for their Champions League journey.

Kenya Police FC have received guidance on how to make a strong impression in their CAF Champions League debut.

The Law Enforcers have enjoyed a fine run in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League, ultimately winning the KPL title after dethroning defending champions Gor Mahia.

Kenya Police FC now shift focus to the CAF Champions League scheduled for September, following their victory in the league, which they finished with 65 points, ahead of Gor Mahia, who had 59 points, while Kakamega Homeboyz completed the podium with 58 points.

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Kenya Police poorly started the league, forcing the immediate sacking of coaches Anthony Kimani and Salim Babu, with Burundian coach Etienne Ndayiragije taking charge.

Kenya Police FC Need a Lethal Striker

As they gear up for their debut in the Champions League, former Harambee Stars midfielder Charles Okwemba has urged the technical bench to take advantage of this transfer window and get a good striker.

The former AFC Leopards midfielder is aware of the toughness of the CAF Champions League and believes that having a great striker will be a step in the right direction for AFC Leopards.

He extended a hand of gratitude to the Kenya Police FC squad but insisted that for them to even go past the group stages, they need to address the striking department.

“Congratulations to them (for winning the league), and I am very sure they definitely know the areas to strengthen after going through the entire season, but top on the list should be a lethal striker, a 20-plus goals per season kind of striker if they want to have a successful campaign in CAF competition,” Charles Okwemba told Flashscore.

“Do you think with the current squad they already have, they can go past the group stage of Champions League? To go past the group stages, there’s no shortcut, they must beef up the squad with high-profile signings from outside Kenya and the best within the country.”

Kenya Police FC Need to Secure Friendly Matches

Charles Okwemba believes that if Kenya Police FC play a series of friendly matches against top football clubs, noting that such fixtures would help the technical bench evaluate the team’s readiness.

He further pointed out that Tanzanian clubs like Simba SC and Young Africans (Yanga SC) have recently enjoyed success in CAF inter-club competitions.

According to him, Kenya Police FC could benefit from engaging with these teams to understand what it takes to progress beyond the usual early-round eliminations.

“The office should ensure players’ fitness and conditioning performance levels are improved to last the entire match period, unlike now, where some of the burnout, especially in the second half. The technical bench should work on imparting a winning mentality to the players,” he added.

Charles Okwemba also observed that Kenya Police FC appeared to be receiving strong financial backing from their employer and sponsors.

Last season, Kenya Police FC featured in the CAF Confederation Cup after clinching the FKF Cup title. They advanced past the first preliminary round.

They edged out Ethiopian Coffee, drawing 0-0 in the first leg in Nairobi and winning 1-0 in the return leg in Addis Ababa, securing a 1-0 aggregate victory.

However, their journey ended in the second preliminary round against Egyptian giants Zamalek, losing 1-0 at home and 2-1 in Cairo to bow out with a 3-1 aggregate defeat.