Kenya Police FC bow out of CAF Champions League after 4–1 aggregate loss to Al Hilal
With continental ambitions now dashed, the Kenya Police will shift their focus back to domestic duty as they aim to defend their now named SportPesa Premier League title and earn another shot at Africa’s elite competition next season.
End of the road for Kenya Police FC in the CAF Champions League as they suffer another 3-1 defeat to Al Hilal, making it 4-1 on aggregate, at the Benina Martyrs Stadium in Libya.
The police’s journey to exit started on home soil in a closed-door match at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, where the Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman claimed a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg of the second preliminary round on Friday afternoon.
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Adama Coulibaly’s 19th-minute strike was enough for the visitors to secure the advantage.
Adama capitalised on a defensive mishap after Charles Ouma’s back-pass was intercepted by Abdel Raouf. The ball deflected to Adama, who outpaced defender Brian Okoth before slotting past goalkeeper Job Ochieng to hand Al Hilal the lead.
The 2024/25 FKF Premier League champions headed to Libya full of hope, eyeing a historic group-stage qualification and the lucrative Sh96 million prize. However, Al Hilal had other ideas.
The Law Enforcers went into the match needing to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit but found themselves facing a ruthless opponent determined to protect their continental pedigree.
Nigerian striker Sunday Adetunji was the star of the show, scoring a brace before the hosts added a late third to confirm a 4-1 aggregate victory and a seventh consecutive group-stage appearance for the Sudanese powerhouse.
Al Hilal dominated the early exchanges and finally broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Abdel Raouf’s pinpoint cross from a set piece found Adetunji, who rose highest to head home and double their aggregate advantage.
Kenya Police, to their credit, came out fighting after the break. Substitute Mixuri Exaule combined brilliantly on the left flank before sending in a clever delivery that found Eric Zakayo, who slotted home to equalise and give the visitors a brief hope.
But Al Hilal restored control just after the hour mark when Adetunji pounced again in the 63rd minute, smashing in a volley from the right to make it 2-1 on the night and effectively end Police’s comeback dreams.
As the match wore on, the Police’s midfield began to tire, leaving gaps that Laurentiu Reghecampf’s men exploited with ease. The Sudanese side capped their dominant performance with a third goal in stoppage time, sealing a comfortable victory and progression to the next stage.
For Coach Etienne Ndayiragije and his charges, it was a disappointing end to a promising campaign, a second consecutive season where their continental journey ended at the same stage, mirroring last year’s CAF Confederation Cup exit.
With continental ambitions now dashed, the Kenya Police will shift their focus back to domestic duty as they aim to defend their now named SportPesa Premier League title and earn another shot at Africa’s elite competition next season.
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