Kenya Police Exit CAF Champions League After Defeat to Al Hilal Omdurman

FKF Premier League champions Kenya Police FC suffered elimination in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League on Friday, ending their maiden appearance in the continental competition.

The Kenyan champions fell 3–1 to Al Hilal SC at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi, Libya, confirming a 4–1 aggregate defeat after losing 1–0 in the first leg played in Nairobi.

The hosts took the lead through Nigerian striker Sunday Adetunji, who headed home a fine cross from Mohamed Ereng.

Kenya Police FC equalized through second-half substitute Eric Zakayo, who finished off a flowing move involving Tansele Mosengo and Marvin Nabwire to give the visitors hope.

However, Al Hilal SC restored their advantage, with Sunday Adetunji grabbing his brace after a neat assist from Walieldin Pogba, before Salem Mohammed placed the game beyond reach with a late third for the Sudanese giants.

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The hosts created the better chances in the first half and had a sniff at goal as early as the eighth minute, but Alassane Coulibali failed to test Khadim Ndiaye from a free-kick which sailed over the crossbar.

It would be Soufiane Farid who was called into action first though as he saved David Simiyu’s header from Samuel Ayanrinde’s cross on 20 minutes.

Walieldin Pogba then went close at the other end moments later following a quick counter-attack, forcing Khadim Ndiaye to push his shot onto the frame of the goal from a tight angle.

Abdelraouf Yahya was presented with a good opportunity to open the scoring on 27 minutes after finding himself through on goal, but he was unable to beat Khadim Ndiaye from an acute angle.

Al Hilal SC went ahead in the 36th minute from a set piece which was taken by Mohamed Ereng, with the ball meeting Nigerian import Sunday Adetunji, who headed past Khadim Ndiaye to make it 1–0.

The Sudanese kept on going forward and attacking with the likes of Ernest Luzolo, Salah Adil, and Brian Girumugisha, but the Kenya Police FC defence of Ochieng David, Geoffrey Onyango, and Charles Ouma stood firm.

The visitors grew into the game after the break and found their equalizer in the 56th minute through second-half substitute Eric Zakayo, who reacted quickest inside the box to slot home after a clever buildup involving Tansele Mosengo and Marvin Nabwire.

Al Hilal SC restored their advantage in the 63rd minute, with Sunday Adetunji grabbing his brace after connecting with Walieldin Pogba’s clever flick inside the area to make it 2–1.

The home side  got stronger as the second half went on, controlling possession and restricting Kenya Police FC in attack.

Moments later, Salem Mohammed put the result beyond doubt, slotting home from inside the box to add Al Hilal SC’s third goal and seal a comfortable victory for the Sudanese side.

Substitute Ibrahim Fofana had Al Hilal’s best effort of the half in the 92nd minute, heading narrowly over from close range.

Moments later, Khadim Ndiaye came to Kenya Police’s rescue with a fine reflex save to deny Sunday Adetunji from point-blank range.

The result sees Al Hilal SC progress to the CAF Champions League group stages, while Kenya Police FC bow out after a commendable debut campaign on the continental stage.

Al Hilal SC: Soufiane Farid, S. Ebuela, Mohamed Karshoum, Mohamed Ereng, Ernest Luzolo, Salah Adil, Walieldin Pogba, Abdelraouf Yahya (C), Brian Girumugisha, Alassane Coulibali, Sunday Adetunji.

Substitutes: Madani Diouf, Yassin Awad, Abdelrazig Omar, Petros Madicke, Ibrahim Fofana, Salem Musa, Mohammed Abderahman.

Kenya Police FC: Khadim Ndiaye, Baraka Badi, Geoffrey Onyango, Ochieng David (C), Charles Ouma, Musa Loro, Tobias Otieno, Marvin Nabwire, Tansele Mosengo, Samuel Ayanrinde, David Simiyu.

Substitutes: Job Ochieng, Brian Okoth, Daniel Sakari, Clinton Kinanga, Edward Omondi, Eric Zakayo, David Okoth, Gideon Muyadi, Misuri Exaule