Kenyan champions Police FC narrowly booked their place in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, surviving a stunning 2-0 home defeat to Somalia’s Mogadishu City Club at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday. The aggregate score tied at 3-3, but Police advanced on away goals—barely holding on in a match where their errors nearly proved costly.
First-Leg Cushion Saves Police FC After Nairobi Collapse
After a promising 3-1 away win in the first leg—played at the same venue two weeks prior—Police FC returned home needing to protect their advantage. Despite being widely tipped to advance, the team struggled to find rhythm and cohesion in a match dominated by the visitors.
Mogadishu City took control in the 34th minute when Issa Yusuf latched onto a lofted ball and slotted past Khadime Ndiaye to halve the aggregate deficit. That early goal rattled the home side, who failed to recover their composure going into halftime.
Second-Half Mistakes Put Police on the Brink
Coach Etienne Ndariyagije made a bold triple substitution at the break, introducing Edward Omondi, David Okoth, and Eusters Chasara in an attempt to revitalize his squad. But the changes did little to stem the tide.
In the 54th minute, Mogadishu struck again—this time from the penalty spot. Defender Joash Onyango brought down Abdikadir Enow in the box, and Ibrahim Bungura confidently converted, leveling the tie on aggregate and putting Police FC on high alert.
One more goal would have sent Mogadishu through, and they pushed relentlessly for it, but Police’s defense held firm in the final stretch to narrowly escape elimination.
Coach Ndariyagije Blames “Lost Passes” for Near Exit
Speaking after the match, head coach Etienne Ndariyagije pointed to critical passing errors as the root of his team’s problems.
“We had a very big problem with our final pass,” the Burundian tactician told Flashscore. “We moved the ball well during build-up, but once we reached the final third, the passes went astray. Losing the ball at those key moments gave them opportunities to counter, and they punished us.”
Ndariyagije admitted his team was exposed every time they surged forward in search of a goal, allowing Mogadishu to exploit the space behind. “Both goals came at moments when we were attacking. Their awareness and quick counters caught us out,” he added.
Despite the scare, the coach praised his players for protecting the slim advantage they had secured from the first leg.
Next Up: Sudanese Giants Al Hilal Await
Police FC’s reward for advancing is a tough second preliminary round fixture against Sudanese heavyweights Al Hilal S.C. The Kenyan champions will need to iron out their mistakes quickly if they hope to reach the group stages of Africa’s elite club competition.
Nairobi United Also Progress in Confederation Cup
Elsewhere, newly promoted FKF Premier League side Nairobi United earned a spot in the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup after holding Uganda’s NEC FC to a 1-1 draw at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.
With the aggregate score locked at 3-3, United advanced on away goals, thanks to their spirited 2-2 comeback draw in the first leg in Uganda. The Naibois will now face Tunisian giants Étoile Sportive du Sahel, with the first leg scheduled for October 17 in Nairobi and the return fixture in Tunis on October 24.
