Opening day curse haunts Police again as Ulinzi hold firm in FKFPL Forces Derby
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Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 01.10.25. | 18:19
The draw means that since their promotion to the top flight in the 2021/22 season, the law enforcers have yet to win a season-opening fixture
Defending champions Kenya Police FC will have to wait at least another season to register their first ever opening-day victory in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) after being held to a goalless draw by Ulinzi Stars at the Police Sacco Pavilion on Wednesday evening.
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The draw means that since their promotion to the top flight in the 2021/22 season, the Law Enforcers are yet to win a season-opening fixture.
Their debut campaign began with a loss to Kakamega Homeboyz, followed by another opening-day defeat to KCB a year later.
They then played out successive barren draws against Kariobangi Sharks and Tusker, and Wednesday’s result stretched the frustrating streak to five seasons.
Their start to the new campaign had been delayed by two weeks as they were engaged in the CAF Champions League, where they overcame Mogadishu City of Somalia on aggregate to progress to the next round.
The derby lived up to the expectations, with both sides showing attacking intent despite the cagey pre-match expectations.
Ulinzi nearly capitalised on a defensive blunder in the 19th minute when Brian Okoth’s misplaced clearance fell to Paul Okoth, but the forward failed to punish the champions.
Four minutes later, Police midfielder Marvin Nabwire came close to breaking the deadlock, glancing a header from a Geoffrey Ochieng free-kick just wide.
Nabwire forced another fine save from Ulinzi goalkeeper Silvanus Ricks in the 28th minute, unleashing a fierce shot after being set up by Onyango on the left flank.
Against the run of play, Ulinzi’s danger man Boniface Muchiri nearly punished Police from a counterattack launched after a corner, his cross in the 37th minute narrowly eluding striker Okoth at the back post.
Police forward Edward Omondi wasted a glorious opportunity in the 40th minute when, clean through on goal, he hesitated too long, allowing defender Okoth to recover.
A minute before the interval, a hard tackle by David Ochieng on Muchiri had the Ulinzi bench appealing for a penalty, but referee Isaac Hamisi waved play on, indicating that the defender won the ball first.
Coach Etienne Ndayiragije rang the changes at halftime, bringing on Albert Otieno, David Simiyu and Eric Zakayo for David Okoth, Edward Omondi and Eusters Chasara.
The substitutions added urgency to the champions’ attack, with Simiyu twice troubling the Ulinzi centre-backs early in the second half.
Ulinzi boss Dunstan Nyaudo responded in the 54th minute by introducing Joseph Omuse for Ibrahim Shambi.
Omuse’s pace and powerful shooting caused persistent problems for the Police defence, forcing several saves from goalkeeper Job Ochieng.
The champions were nearly punished in the 61st minute when a cross from Brian Birgen found Muchiri inside the box, but David “Cheche” Ochieng cleared the goal bound attempt.
Cheche was again in the right place moments later to head away a dangerous delivery from a corner.
Police’s Baraka Badi picked up a yellow card for a reckless tackle on Muchiri in the 64th minute, and teammate Geoffrey Onyango followed him into the book in the 75th minute for another foul on the winger.
The closest Ulinzi came to scoring in the final quarter came in the 70th minute when Leonlevitt Oswego unleashed a thunderous drive from distance, forcing Ochieng into a superb fingertip save.
Both sides pushed forward in search of a late winner, but the defences stood firm, leaving them to share the spoils at the final whistle.
The result preserved Ulinzi’s solid start to the season, with two draws and a win, and kept their superior head-to-head record in the derby intact.
The soldiers have won two and drawn three of their last five meetings with the champions.
For Police, the wait for an elusive opening-day victory goes on.
Meanwhile, Tusker were held to a barren draw by Mathare United at Dandora Stadium.
Elsewhere in Dandora, Mathare United frustrated Tusker with a hard-fought 0-0 draw, denying the brewers a chance to close register maiden win of the season.
Tusker dominated the early exchanges and came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the sixth minute when Erick Kapaito rattled the woodwork, with Ronny Otieno’s follow-up effort cleared off the line.
The brewers continued to press, as Charles Momanyi headed narrowly wide from a corner and Curtis Wekesa forced a superb save from Mathare goalkeeper Brian Opondo, who tipped over his curling free-kick.
Mathare gradually settled into the game and threatened on the counter, forcing Opondo into a brilliant double save to deny them the lead.
Both sides chased a late winner, but disciplined defending ensured the spoils were shared at the final whistle.
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