Kenya Police FC won the FKF Premier League for the first time ever, as they endured a bruising battle with record champions Gor Mahia and Tusker FC to clinch glory.
While Tusker, who were erstwhile seen as the frontrunners for the title caved in with four matches to left, Gor and Police remained neck to neck for two games, before the law enforcers won it with one match to go.
It was an incredible feat for Police, who in November last year, were battling to stay afloat and were 16th in the standings. The talk was more of lifting from possible relegation than fighting for the title.
But, a change in the coaching unit saw the hiring of former Tanzania national team head coach, Etienne Ndayiragije to take charge of the team. Steadily, the Burundian slowly turned fortunes for the club and by January, he had lifted them into the top bracket, with the title talk starting to simmer.
For a team that had struggled with coaching stability and squad unity for most of last season and spilling over to the new season, Ndayiragije had his work cut out.
And now, in an exclusive interview with Telecomasia.net, midfielder Kenneth Muguna has opened up on the transformation that the Burundian coach brought into the team, and the changes that turned them from relegation fighters to Premier League winners.
- Just last November, things were bleak and you guys didn’t seem likely to win the title. What changed?
- Before the coach came, there was a lot going on at the club not just on the field but off it as well. There were so many issues which caused things to turn chaotic. But when the coach came in, the first thing he did was to try and bring unity and calmness in the team.
He tried to address some of the issues that were there and asked that we move on with a common goal. That is what was lacking before and slowly, we began to see changes in how we were playing and the results spoke for themselves.
- Tactically was it difficult to adapt to what he wanted as a coach?
- With the way he started, with a call for calmness and togetherness, it wasn’t difficult. He didn’t bring in a lot of changes. He just studied how we played and studied the players and knew how to get the best out of everyone. Previously, we were playing well in most games but not winning and this is one of the areas he addressed, getting us to grind results especially in difficult games. The good thing is that most of the players in our squad are experienced professionals and we adapted quickly.
- Personally, it has been a difficult season because you started off battling injury and had long spells out. However, you came back and played a crucial role for the team. How can you summarize the campaign?
- As a player, injury is usually one of the toughest phases you can have. It was a tough moment but I kept my head high and ensured that I worked diligently towards a return. The good thing is that we were winning as a team and when I came back, it was a matter of ensuring we sustain the momentum. It has been tough but worth it.
- You have now won your fourth league title as a player, having won three with Gor Mahia. How special was this journey with Police?
- It was really special because this club has never won the Premier League title and me being part of this history is something I cherish. It started off as a dream and now we have achieved it. We were pushed by this dream and had a very passionate fanbase and management behind us and this were crucial to help us deliver the title. We also had a good caliber of players who withstood the pressure and brought that much needed experience in the fight.
- This being a special trophy, who do you dedicate it to?
- Honestly, I will dedicate this to our chairman. He is one of the people who has been very instrumental in us winning. When we first met when he wanted me to sign for Police, he told me his dream and his plan and told me he was confident I was one of the players who would help the club win the title.
We clicked right from that conversation and I was onboard. He believed in me a lot and this has been my inspiration to help the club whenever called upon.
- They say being number one is easy but remaining number one is the hard part. Are you guys ready for this challenge again next season?
- Definitely we know next season, every team will want to beat us because we are the champions. But this is a challenge we are ready for. We will not just be one time champions but we want to make this a tradition.
We will be competing very strongly again and the ambition is to be back to back champions. We never stop dreaming and we never stop aiming high. We hope the management will keep supporting us like they have, we hope to build an even stronger team and we will be here to fight for glory.
- Finally, the other big task ahead of you guys is the CAF Champions League, where you will make your debut. Are you guys ready for the challenge?
Last season, we had a taste of continental football when we played in the Confederation Cup. This was a good experience for us because we picked lessons on how to approach these games and how best to win. Now, we are playing in the Champions League which is tougher and we have to be ready because games are not easy.
We will be representing the country and we have to do it in the best way possible. Even as we are taking our holidays, our minds and thoughts are fixed on doing well in Continental level and everyone is locked in to go on and give a good account of themselves.
Our aim is to try and make the group stages because last season in the Confederation Cup, we failed to make it past the second round. As a player who has played in this competition before, I know with good planning, it is a possible dream.
