FKF-PL: Police coach Etienne Ndayiragije ready to pop champagne bottle

Kenya Police coach Etienne Ndayiragije has no doubt in his mind that they will write history next Wednesday by clinching their first ever Football Kenya Federation Premier League title.

Police face Shabana at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on June 11 needing to avoid defeat to be crowned the Kenya champions and end the 14-year hegemony of Gor Mahia and Tusker.

“Gor Mahia have no chance of winning the league and not even a miracle can happen for us to miss out on the title.

We are going to make history and win the league against Shabana so that we just play our last game with them without any pressure,” said a confident sounding Ndayiragije.

The Burundian tactician has been the force behind Kenya Police’s title charge.

So confident is he that he said even if the title decider match went to the final day on June 15 they would still prevail.

“We are winning the league in the Shabana game but Gor with their current squad can’t beat my team. They have no chance against us even if the last game was to decide the title,” said a bullish Ndayiragije.

The Burundian joined Kenya Police on November 21 last year on a six-month contract when the law enforcers were languishing in the relegation zone.

Since then Ndayiragije has won 18 of the 30 matches he has overseen with seven draws and five losses.

Small wonder Police had no hesitation in announcing in February that they will extended his contract.

Ndayiragije also led Kenya Police to the FKF Cup quarter-finals where they were knocked out on pos-match penalties by Mara Sugar.

“The mood in our camp is of excitement and every player is happy we are on the verge of writing history. It has taken  a lot of sacrifice and individual effort and now what remains is making it a reality in our next match,” said the soft speaking tactician.

Gor Mahia handed the advantage to Police when they drew 1-1 with AFC Leopards in their delayed 'Mashemeji' derby on Monday at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay.

The law enforcers top the standing on 61 points with  K’Ogalo second on 55 points. Gor could still retain the title they have won a record 21 times, but the fate of the championship is not in their hands.

The defending champions must win their remaining two matches and Police lose theirs to nip it on goal difference.

Kenya Police face Gor Mahia on June 15. K’Ogalo will first tackle Ulinzi Stars on June 11. As matters stand now Gor have a goal difference of plus 22 compared to plus 20 for Kenya Police.

Understandably, Gor Mahia coach Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno after the Mashemeji derby draw on Monday said the had given up on the title and were now focusing on the FKF Cup.

“I don’t think there is any chance of winning the league. The gap is widening between us and Police and we cannot talk about the league anymore,” he said. 

Psychological banter?  Perhaps. But realistically, the multiple, record champions have no cards to play other than win and pray.

The FKF Cup is a certain bet. Gor are through to the final and will face National Super League champions Nairobi United.