Kenya Police FC are preparing to take their biggest step yet on the continental stage, with head coach Etienne Ndayiragije leading the charge as the law enforcers gear up for their first-ever appearance in the CAF Champions League.
It is a historic moment for the club, who only last season dipped their toes into Continental football through the CAF Confederation Cup, gaining valuable experience despite falling short of a deep run. That debut, after winning last season’s Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup, was a statement of intent from a side that has steadily grown into one of Kenya’s most ambitious projects.
Head coach Ndayiragije, the Burundian tactician who has been at the heart of the team’s recent rise, believes those lessons were invaluable.Since his arrival, he has instilled a culture of discipline and tactical structure, qualities he insists will be central to navigating the unforgiving terrain of the Champions League. To him, Kenya Police’s qualification is not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new challenge that demands even greater preparation, focus and belief.
With the memory of their Confederation Cup lessons still fresh, the Burundian is confident that Police can not only compete but also showcase the tactical discipline and squad depth that earned them a ticket to Africa’s top-tier club competition. The Champions League, unlike the Confederation Cup, comes with a brighter spotlight and sterner tests, pitting Kenya Police against some of the most successful and storied clubs on the continent.
Ndayiragije knows only too well his side is heading for a steeper climb, but remains upbeat about his squad’s potential to rise to the occasion. Backed by a growing fan base and an ambitious management, the team is intent on writing a chapter that will long be remembered in the history of the club. They kick off their 2025-26 Champions League campaign against Somalia’s Mogadishu City FC in the first preliminary round.
As the club prepares to make its maiden bow in the Champions League, Ndayiragije spoke to Telecomasia.net to share his thoughts on the journey so far, the expectations for his team in the competition, and the belief that Kenya Police can stake a claim on Africa’s biggest stage.
— Ahead of your debut in the CAF Champions League, how have preparations been?
So far so good we have been preparing really well. The players are ready and everyone is quite ready for the Champions League. We believe we have worked well and we will achieve the goals we have been training for. The focus is there in the players, they know what is expected of them and they are willing to rise to the occasion. We have worked on all aspects of the game, both tactical, physical and mental and I believe everyone is ready to do their jobs.
— You have brought in a number of new players into the team. How have they blended in and do they bring in more depth and qualities?
We brought in a number of new players who bring in a lot of new talent. They have adjusted well to the new environment, new coaches, new teammates. So far so good and they are coping up well and building chemistry with those we had. They have brought in some more depth to the squad and their quality is not questionable. I believe they will make us stronger in the new season, especially in our Champions League campaign.
— You recently played at the CECAFA Kagame Cup in Dar es Salaam. How beneficial was this especially for your Champions League campaign?
The tournament was really good for us because we needed such a competition to test and measure ourselves. We needed to play against teams from different countries to be able to have a taste of what the Champions League will be like. It was also a great opportunity for me to see my players in a competitive environment to know them better and also see how the new players have gelled into the team. It showed that we are somewhere at least and the competitive games we played have pushed us to a certain level.
— As Kenya Police head into Continental football, you are moving into zones you are comfortable in having had massive experience in your other assignments. Does this make it easier?
Of course yes, that experience will play a big role because I have been in such spaces before. I have competed at the highest levels both with clubs and national teams. But the experience bit is not just myself, but the whole team. Last season, they played in the Confederation Cup and managed to take one step in and I believe that experience will be vital for them as well. I believe that we can do even much better this season.
— Talking about last season, how much will the Confederation Cup experience have an influence on the team now?
It was a first time experience and the players, and coaches who were there, learnt some lessons from what happened. We now know how these Continental games are and how to approach and manage them. We have the belief that with this experience and knowhow, we can achieve more and we are now a better side, which means we can improve from what we showed last time.
— Police FC had several players representing Kenya at the just concluded CHAN tournament. How does their experience blend in especially at the continental stage?
When you have players in the national team, it adds a lot of value to the team because they play at that level and the experience there from the tempo, the fans and everything is really high. It also shows that as a club, we have high caliber players who can represent the country. But it also brought a bit of a challenge because they were not with us for most of the pre-season but again as internationals, they always know how to cope up as soon as they are back and from what I have seen this week, they are coming in well.
— You are facing Somalia’s Mogadishu City. How well do you know them and how have you prepared for them?
We managed to see them several times in CECAFA because they were also participating. We know what they can do and we know their potential and we have much respect for them. We are taking them very seriously and I believe they also know us because they saw us playing. It will be a very good challenge for us.
— Finally, what should Police FC fans expect from the team this season both locally and continentally?
We are glad that we didn’t have any injury during pre-season and we have everyone on board. Compared to last season, we have climbed a new level physically and tactically and as a team I have seen great improvement in the players. We will do our best to defend our title and go as far as possible in the Champions League. We only ask our supporters to keep pushing us as they did last season and we will give the results on the pitch.
