Kenya Police Seize First-Leg Advantage Over Mogadishu City to Keep CAF Champions League Dream Alive

Reigning FKF Premier League champions Kenya Police kept their CAF Champions League campaign on course with a confident 3-1 victory over Mogadishu City Club at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

The win edges the Law Enforcers closer to a second preliminary round showdown with Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman.

Goals by Erick Zakayo,  Edward ‘Ondimo’ Omondi and David Simiyu  would be enough to give the Law Enforcers the much needed advantage headed into the second leg, which will ironically still be held at the same venue given Somalia’s lack of CAF Approved stadia.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

Kenya Police controlled proceedings from the off, and took the lead in the 15th minute through Erick Zakayo with a shot from just inside the box after being set up well by Alvin Otieno  that  Mogadishu City Club keeper Yusuf Yusuf could do nothing about.

In the 25th minute, the Law Enforcers were forced into making an early change after off season signing Gideon Muyavi pulled off injured, leaving Ettiene Ndayiragije no choice but to bring on Alvin Mang’eni in his place.

Although Police continued to dominate, there was a moment of controversy in the 35th minute when a Police player appeared to hand the ball in the box, which should have meant a penalty for the hosts, but the referee ruled play-on.

At the start of the second half, Ndayiragije opted to bring on Brian Musa for Tobias Omondi as he sought to bring in more control into the game.

However, Police would be punished for their slow start early in the second half, as Adan Yusuf capitalised on a mistake by Tobias Otieno, who mispassed the ball back during the build up which Mogadishu intercepted, before taking advantage and equalising.

However, they would soon be celebrating again, as Edward ‘Ondimo’ Omondi would gun police into the lead yet again from a brilliant early ball by Mang’eni that caused confusion in the Mogadishu box, which he took advantage of, as he rose highest to get on the end of and score.

Police would continue to apply pressure, and in the 66th minute, would score their third goal through David Simiyu after a well constructed move into the box initiated by Mang’eni, who attempted a shot that forced Yusuf to parry it onto the path of David Okoth, who then passed it back into the box for the Lanky forward to control it, turn and shoot.

From there, Police managed proceedings with professionalism, denying Mogadishu any way back into the tie. With the “return leg” also set for Nyayo Stadium, the Law Enforcers carry a healthy advantage and will fancy their chances of booking a glamour clash with Al Hilal.

Saturday’s performance was far from flawless, but it underlined the growing maturity of a Police side eager to test itself against Africa’s best. For now, their Champions League dream remains very much alive — and in their own hands.