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Kenya Police FC underwhelming campaign continue after barren draw against league debutants
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 22.02.26. | 16:14
The league defending champions now find themselves 12 points adrift of leaders Gor Mahia
Kenya Police’s ever-fading title defense took another hit on Sunday, 22 February after the Law Enforcers were held to a barren draw against newly-promoted APS Bomet at a soggy Police Sacco Stadium.
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Police, who carried hopes of making it back-to-back FKF Premier League titles at the beginning of the season, witnessed yet another low in their largely underwhelming campaign, this time huffing and puffing under torrential downfall to extend their winless run to four games.
A dark cloud, if not hovering over the stadium, engulfed the hosts minutes before kickoff, when winger David Okoth was ruled out of the game, having picked an injury during warm-up.
The proverbial heavens would later open, forcing the clash termed as a ‘forces derby’ to result into a scrap between which side would control the ball better on a largely unplayable surface.
It was under those conditions that Police were again asked to dig deeper into their reserves, as goalkeeper Job Ochieng looked to pull a muscle when attempting a punt in the seventh minute.
Having looked to have braved the moment, Ochieng was in the 12th minute hooked off, with coach Nicholas Muyoti summoning Daniel Ogembo as his replacement.
The understudy would not be tested much, just like his opposite number Maxwell Mulili, with chances being few and far between.
The only standout moments in the first half came Bomet’s way, with Rodgers Kipkemoi stinging the arms of Ogembo with a low shot at the half-hour mark.
From the resulting corner, Philip Wasai’s corner was deflected wide, while Hansel Ochieng could not take advantage of a promising free-kick just outside the box, lashing it over the bar after Abud Omar had committed a foul in stoppage time.
The second half was more of an eye-sore, as the persisting rain punished both sides to take the easiest path to goal.
Former Tusker man Curtis Wekesa went close with a strike from range two minutes after the hour mark, only for Ogembo to push wide.
Muyoti, in a bid to inject some pace upfront, brought on Alvin Mang’eni and the imposing Clinton Kinanga, but a waterlogged pitch meant double the work to find a way past an industrious Mulili, who at some point left his goal to clear a ball, and was fortunate not to concede.
The former Shabana shot-stopper was tested by Kinanga in the 81st minute, the former coming up big with a low save to his right.
The hosts, with perhaps their best chance to sneak a win, saw Yves Koutiama head a lovely 88th minute cross from Hernest Malonga over Mulili’s goal, leaving a bitter taste in Muyoti’s mouth, even as he fights to turn around the ship.
Since Muyoti’s appointment as coach, Police have only won once in five games, and find themselves seventh, 13 points off the pace.
Bomet, on the other hand, moved a point above the relegation zone.
Mara punish sorry Ulinzi
Elsewhere at Awendo, Ulinzi Stars' downturn in form continued, as the visitors were handed a 2-1 defeat in the hands of Mara Sugar to make it six consecutive games without a win.
Mara took the lead in the 34th minute through Alex Imbusia, before Daniel Wafula added a second just before the break. Ulinzi, now deep in the relegation zone, only picked a consolation late on, via Bonventure Muchika.
The result ended Mara's long wait without a league win, with the latest victory being their first since 13 December, and moved the millers to 12th on 24 points.
Ulinzi, who have lost over half of their games this season - 11 of 21 - are 16th with 18 points.