Kenya Police FC: We are ready to play with the big boys in Africa
Confederation of African Football (Caf) Champions League newcomers Kenya Police FC have set a target of reaching the group stage of Africa’s top football club competition.
Speaking on Thursday at Police Sacco pavilion in Nairobi after bagging the Sports Journalist Association of Kenya award for June, Kenya Police FC coach Etienne Ndayiragije said he was relishing a chance to compete with Africa’s finest clubs.
“I’m a prayerful person, and I like challenges. But I don’t subscribe to the notion of working under pressure and so I know the team failed to proceed to the group stage (of the Confederation Cup). But I believe with proper planning, and training, we can even go past the group stage. We have proper team work something that is very crucial in any team sport,” said the Burundian coach.
Police, in their maiden appearance, were knocked out in the first round of the 2024/2025 Confederation Cup, after losing 3-1 on aggregate to Egyptian giants Zamalek.
Ndayiragije, 46, however said the team needs to beef up its midfield and attacking departments ahead of the African Champions League.
“We are keen to leave a mark. Just as we shocked the country in the Premier League, we are also keen to ruffle feathers at the Champions League. I’m emotional about being awarded this trophy and I want to dedicate it to the players, management and my family that is here for holidays,” Ndayiragije said.
Team manager George Maelo said they have a rich squad that was capable of competing in Africa.
“We have objectives for next season. President William Ruto challenged us to return the FKF Premier League trophy to the State House next season. We also have our own objective of qualifying for the Champions League group stage. The pressure is on but we know how to contain it. I have seen this team grow in leaps and bounds and I know their capabilities,” Maelo said.
“The coach of the month award just goes to show the team’s hard work and what we believe in,” he added.
At the same time, Maelo threw a jibe at Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy for failing to give call ups to some of the best local-based players ahead of the delayed 2024 African Nations Championships (Chan).
“In football, when making selection, you don’t go with emotions but statistics. How do you fail to call a player who has scored eight goals and a goalkeeper who has kept so many clean sheets?” he posed, while referring to Police’s attacking midfielder Marvin Nabwire and goalkeeper Job Ochieng.
For winning the coach of the month gong, Ndayiragije pocketed Sh100,000 cash prize and a personalized trophy.
Ndayiragije becomes the second foreign coach to win the award this year after South African Carlos Kyatwa, who handles Kabras Sugar RFC, was awarded in April.
Nairobi United’s Nicholas Muyoti came second behind Ndayiragije after guiding his team to the National Super League title as well as winning the FKF Mozzart Bet Cup.
Kenya Pipeline coach Geoffrey Omondi, and General Service Unit’s Gideon Tarus were joint third after reclaiming the Kenya Volleyball Federation National League women’s and men’s crowns respectively.
“The award cuts across all sports, serving as a motivating factor for our coaches to go the extra mile in the field of play. We are delighted to partner with Betika as we strive to uplift the standards of sports countrywide through competitive coaching and I truly believe that the sky is the limit when it comes to our partnership,” said SJKA President James Waindi.
Japheth Akhulia, Betika Marketing Manager, said the betting firm takes pride of sponsoring the Coach of the Month Award, the biggest monthly award in the country.
“As a corporate, we believe in the unifying power of sports that brings different cultures together and we aim to continue rewarding excellence. Coaches are our unsung heroes who continually languish in oblivion by virtue of all the glory being associated with the players they handle. By acknowledging tacticians and appreciating them for their great efforts on the sidelines, we strive to enhance team spirit, cohesion and level-headedness, hence transforming team sports into formidable entities,” said Akhulia.
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