Kenya Police head coach Etienne Ndayiragije has reflected on his team’s narrow 1-0 home defeat to Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round, admitting that lack of composure in front of goal and defensive lapses cost them dearly.
The Kenyan side started the match brightly but failed to make their dominance count. A single defensive mistake in the 19th minute allowed Al Hilal’s Adama Coulibaly to slot home the only goal of the game, giving the visitors a crucial advantage heading into the return leg. Despite sustained pressure from the hosts, Police could not find a way through the well-organized Sudanese defence.
Ndayiragije expressed disappointment at the missed opportunities, stressing the importance of precision and mental strength at this stage of the competition. “When you get to the top level, you must minimize mistakes and take your chances with confidence,” he said. “We created good opportunities but lacked the composure to finish them off. That’s something we must improve quickly.”
Despite the setback, the Burundian tactician remains optimistic. He views the result as part of a two-legged battle rather than a decisive outcome. “This was the first half of the tie,” he noted. “We are confident the second leg will be more favourable for us. The players showed improvement as the game went on, and if we maintain that progression, we can turn things around.”
Ndayiragije praised his players for their growing understanding in attack and believes the experience will help them adapt better to the demands of continental competition. “At first, we were wasting chances, but as the game progressed, we played with more confidence in the final third,” he said. “It’s a process, and with more patience, the results will come.”
Kenya Police will now turn their focus to the second leg scheduled for October 24 in Libya, where Al Hilal will play their home match due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. A win by a margin of two or more goals will see the Kenyan representatives advance to the group stage of the CAF Champions League for the first time in their history. Ndayiragije and his charges remain determined to make that dream a reality.
