Kagame Cup: Kenya Police cruise past Djibouti side in dominant tournament opener
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 02.09.25. | 15:16
Edward Omondi, fresh from helping Harambee Stars reach the quarterfinals of CHAN 2024, was on the score sheet in what was his first match in Police colours
FKF Premier League champions Kenya Police FC announced their arrival on the regional stage in emphatic fashion, thrashing Djibouti’s Garde Cotes 4-0 in their opening fixture of the CECAFA Kagame Cup on Tuesday afternoon.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
The Law Enforcers, making their maiden appearance in the prestigious tournament, showed intent from the very first whistle to dispatch their opponents and seize early control of Group A.
Goals from Eric Zakayo, David Simiyu, Baraka Badi, and substitute Edward Omondi sealed what was a statement victory for coach Etienne Ndayiragije’s men.
Police now sit top of their group with three points, ahead of Ethiopian Coffee and Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars, who meet later in the day.
Kenya Police wasted little time stamping authority on the contest.
Ten minutes in, striker Simiyu came close to opening the scoring but dragged his effort narrowly wide.
At the quarter-hour mark, winger Zakayo tested the Garde Cotes backline again, though his effort failed to trouble goalkeeper Abeko.
Persistence soon paid off. In the 17th minute, Zakayo found himself with space inside the box and calmly slotted home the opener, rewarding Police’s relentless attacking start.
Just thirteen minutes later, Simiyu doubled the advantage, finishing off a well-weighted pass from fullback Badi to make it 2-0 by the half-hour mark.
Despite brief attempts from the Djibouti outfit to claw their way back, Police’s defensive line, marshaled by Joash Onyango,Brian Okoth ,Baraka Badi and Emmanuel Erupe held firm, ensuring a comfortable two-goal cushion at halftime.
Just as the first half was impressive, the second was even ruthless.
Four minutes past the hour mark, right-back Badi capped his brilliant display with a thunderous strike that took a deflection before sailing past a helpless Abeko for the third goal.
Barely three minutes later, the rout was complete.
Substitute Omondi, introduced to add fresh energy to the attack, dived low to meet a teasing delivery from Congolese forward Moise Mbombo, nodding in a textbook header to put the game beyond reach at 4-0.
Police continued to threaten.
David Okoth was denied a fifth in the 76th minute when Garde Cotes captain Mohamed Yasmin made a vital interception.
Nine minutes from time, Mbombo weaved his way past defenders in a dazzling solo run, only to see his low drive roll agonizingly wide.
The Djibouti side, though spirited in patches, could not find a breakthrough against a resolute Police defense.
The clean sheet capped a perfect outing for Police who now carry momentum into their next group assignment.
.jpg)
