Kenya Police FC’s historic debut in the CAF Champions League ended in heartbreak and heavy financial loss after being knocked out by Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman in the Second Preliminary Round.
The Law Enforcers, who entered the continental competition with high hopes, suffered a 4-1 aggregate defeat that denied them a golden opportunity to reach the lucrative group stage. The early exit not only disappointed fans but also dealt a significant financial blow to the club’s ambitions.
Under the Confederation of African Football’s current prize structure, clubs that qualify for the group stage are guaranteed a minimum payout of $700,000—about KSh 90 million. This amount is a massive leap from the $100,000 (KSh 12.9 million) awarded to teams eliminated in the preliminary rounds. The missed revenue underscores the huge financial gap between the qualifiers and group stage participants.
Beyond the immediate prize money, missing out on the group stage has a ripple effect on long-term revenue streams. Clubs that make it to that level attract greater commercial visibility, lucrative sponsorship deals, and higher market value for their players. Kenya Police FC’s early exit therefore represents not just a lost payout but also a setback in their quest to cement their status among Africa’s elite.
The team’s journey began with promise. Kenya Police FC defeated Somalia’s Mogadishu City Club 3-1 in the first leg, thanks to goals from Erick Zakayo, Edward Omondi, and substitute David Simiyu. However, a 2-0 defeat in the return leg meant they advanced only on away goals, setting up a challenging clash against Al Hilal Omdurman.
Their home leg at Ulinzi Sports Complex, played behind closed doors, ended in a 1-0 defeat after Al Hilal’s Adama Coulibaly scored a decisive goal. Despite creating several chances, Police failed to convert, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the return fixture.
In the second leg in Benghazi, Al Hilal’s experience proved too much as they sealed a 3-1 victory, ending Kenya Police FC’s continental adventure. The exit not only dashed their dream of making history as the first Kenyan club to reach the CAF Champions League group stage under the current format but also cost them millions in potential revenue.
