The revolutionary impact of new Police boss Francis Baraza

In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past one month, a new man is at the helm of FKFPL side Kenya Police and things are evidently looking up.

Since tactician Francis Baraza took over as the club’s new manager early December following the exit of his predecessor – Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo, Kenya Police has seemingly been making slow but rather noticeable progress.

From adopting a winless side after three Premier League fixtures, Baraza now – after 12 rounds- sits fifth on the log, leading his side to six wins in the last nine games, dropping only one – a 1-0 defeat to AFC Leopards last week.

In that span, Kenya Police has gone on to score in all games bar two (of the nine) and boasts of being the second-best scoring attack in the Premier League – just one goal shy of Kariobangi Sharks.

“I always want to have most of my players play high up in the pitch and in the opponent’s box,” Francis Baraza hinted at the team’s working offensive system after a 5-0 rout over Mathare United on Wednesday.

“That way, you’ll have goals coming in from every side. Everyone including the wingers understand that we need to attack collectively and with pace. That will be our weapon moving forward.”

Wednesday afternoon saw Elvis Rupia add to his bucket load of goals, scoring one to take his tally this season to eight, and he wasn’t the only one having the fun.

Clinton Kinanga and winger Clifton Miheso both broke their ducks for the season (with the latter grabbing a brace) as Duke Abuya got in the act for another time this season.

“Scoring will be this easy if everyone puts in the work,” Baraza said.

On the other end, Kenya Police hold the status of being the second-best defense, conceding a meagre 5 goals so far this season and only three under Francis Baraza’s watch.

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“In football, it is very possible that at the end of the season that you could find clubs tied on points and have to resort to goal difference. That is something that a coach should be looking at,” the former Kagera Sugar coach said.

As per the norm now, even with such an answer, don’t expect the coach to entertain talks about a title challenge as he once again dismissed setting his eyes to the top.

“Not at all, not at all,” Baraza commented on whether the team was in a title race.

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“I always believe in winning every game and looking forward to the next one. I wouldn’t say we are contending at the moment. It’s too early.

We have already lost three games and our focus is on recovering those points. I commend the teams above us for the fight they’re putting in,” he said.

Kenya Police, having played a game less, are six points off leaders Nzoia Sugar and will take on Bidco United on Sunday.

I was once sold the dream when the team won the Elite Preseason Cup, I might be buying it once more thanks to ‘Dr’ Francis Baraza.