Police net two late goals to seal second place and a spot in the 2025 CECAFA Kagame Cup semi finals.

Reigning FKF Premier League champions Kenya Police have booked their place in the semifinals of the 2025 CECAFA Kagame Cup following a 2-0 victory over Ethiopian Coffee in their third Group B match in Dar es Salaam on Monday afternoon.

Police entered the match knowing that only a win would keep their hopes of reaching the semifinals alive. The Law Enforcers had started the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Garde-côtes FC but were frustrated by a 2-1 loss to Sindiga Big Stars in their second outing.

 Ethiopian Coffee, on the other hand, needed just a point to guarantee second place in the group, having drawn with Sindiga and beaten Garde-côtes in their earlier fixtures.

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In the first half, there was nothing much to write home about, with both teams creating half chances but failed to find the back of the net.

Both teams created chances in a tense opening period of the second half. In the 56th minute, Ethiopian Coffee nearly took the lead when Abubakary Adam received the ball with his back to goal, turned past Joash Onyango, and cut it back to Manuel Amasu, who set up Zalalem Abate. 

However, Police goalkeeper Khadime Ndiaye made a crucial save to keep the score level.

Kenya Police responded in the 60th minute through Albert Otieno, who sprinted down the right flank and delivered a dangerous ball into the box, causing confusion for Ethiopian Coffee’s defenders. 

Although keeper Ibrahim Donald managed to clear the danger, Police midfielder Samuel Olewasegun was injured in the process, forcing coach Etienne Ndayiragige to make two substitutions, bringing on David Simiyu and Eustus Chesara.

The visitors continued to test Police’s defense, with Ndiaye making another fine save in the 69th minute after a lapse in build-up play allowed Aboubakary Adam a clear opportunity. 

Adam nearly threatened again in the 73rd minute with a dangerous free-kick that Ndiaye tipped away expertly. Police countered with their own set-piece threat in the 75th minute, but Charles Ouma’s header went wide despite a well-executed corner from Mosengo Chesaro.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 86th minute. Eric Zakayo found George Onyango on the left flank, who delivered a precise whipped left-footed cross to Alvin Mangeni at the back post. 

Mangeni made no mistake, heading the ball into the net to give Police the lead. Just three minutes later, Kenya Police doubled their advantage on a swift counterattack. 

Simiyu played the ball to Zakayo, who then found David Okoth in space. Okoth rounded the keeper and slotted home with a composed left-footed finish from a tight angle.

The 2-0 win not only secured all three points but also guaranteed Kenya Police a place in the semifinals, keeping their hopes of CECAFA glory alive.