A 75th-minute bullet header courtesy of Brian Okoth ensured that the law enforcers reached an unassailable 64 points with a game to spare. They won the title after registering 18 wins, 10 draws and suffering five defeats.
Outgoing champions Gor Mahia, who were hoping for a miracle to retain the title on the final day of the season, secured a 3-2 win against Ulinzi Stars to take their tally of points to 58, six fewer than the new sheriffs in town.
Samuel Kapen, Austin Odhiambo and Benson Omalla were on target for K’Ogalo while Yakeen Muteheli and Vincent Otieno scored for the soldiers. Third-placed Tusker could only secure a 0-0 draw against Kariobangi Sharks to drop to fourth position with 56 points, while Kakamega Homeboyz, leapfrogged the Brewers to third following a 1-0 win away win against Bidco United.
Hilary Otieno scored for Homeboyz in the 21st minute to ensure that they stayed on course to finish second on the log if they win their final game of the season against Tusker and Gor Mahia falter against Police. Homeboyz moved to 57 points, one less than K’Ogalo.
Police start strongly
Back into the title decider, Police coach Etienne Ndayiragije, who had promised a cautious approach heading into the fixture against the Kisii-based Glamour Boys, having lost to the same side 1-0 in the first round meeting at Gusii Stadium, paraded his best starting XI ready for the battle.
Regular custodian Job Ochieng, since the departure of Patrick Matasi to Homeboyz, kept his role between the sticks, with the Burundian coach preferring a backline of Baraka Badi, Emmanuel Erupe, David Ochieng, and Brian Okoth to offer Ochieng cover.
In the midfield, Charles Ouma, Kenneth Muguna, and Tim Oyanda anchored the engine room while upfront, Ndayiragije went for a three-pronged attacking option with Alvin Mangeni, Eric Zakayo, and David Simiyu spearheading the role.
Police threw everything at Shabana from the opening whistle, and they should have scored as early as the sixth minute when Muguna’s cross from the right wing found Zakayo alone in the danger zone, but he fumbled with the ball, allowing Shabana defender James Mazembe to clear the danger.
They came close again in the 12th minute, this time a counter-attacking move initiated by Badi finding Eruope, who in turn set up Brian Okoth, but the latter’s effort rattled the woodwork to go out for a goal-kick.
Shabana, under Peter Okidi, responded when Frank Mandela’s long throw-in found its way into the Police’s goalmouth, but top scorer Brian Michira shot directly to the waiting hands of Ochieng, who was yet to make any save up until that moment.
Police’s tempo cooled down as Tore Bobe started to dictate the pace of the game, and they almost broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, but Ochieng was forced to make a brilliant save to deny Michira. Shabana suffered a blow moments later when striker Darius Msagha picked a knock and was replaced by Oscar Juma.
The game’s dominance remained on Shabana’s side, Michira and Justin Omwando exchanged passes before Michira took control of play, however, his right-footed effort went inches wide. Police player Eric Zakayo became the first one to be booked following a clumsy challenge in the 34th minute.
Just like Shabana, Police were forced into an early substitution in the 37th minute when Marvin Nabwire was introduced for the injured Tim Oyanda. David Simiyu of Police was then booked following a foul on Shabana captain George ‘Dizzo’ Onyango as the two teams went out for the half-time break tied at 0-0.
Heartbreak for Gor Mahia
Police were seeking to dethrone a Gor Mahia side, who had dominated the league for the last two seasons, to reach a record 21 league titles.
After Tusker had won the title in the 2021/22 season after amassing 66 points, Gor Mahia took control, winning the 2022/23 crown with 70 points, one more than the Brewers. K’Ogalo managed 20 wins, 10 draws and suffered four defeats, while Tusker secured 20 wins, nine draws and lost five matches.
In the 2023/24 campaign, when K’Ogalo wrote history, they did it in style after beating Tusker to the second spot yet again, with eight points clear at the top. They amassed 73 points from 21 wins, 10 draws, and three defeats, while Tusker managed 65 points accumulated from 20 wins, five draws and nine defeats.
Police returned to the second period with another substitution, Tyson Otieno replacing Muguna, before Eric Zakayo almost broke the deadlock yet again when his effort from the edge of the area narrowly missed the target. Ndayiragije then made a triple change, David Irashura, Duncan Otieno and Brian Musa coming on for Eric Zakayo, David Simiyu and Alvin Mang'eni and Eric Zakayo.
And that is when the moment Police were waiting for arrived when they took the lead in the 75th minute. A pinpoint corner delivered by substitute Irashura found Brian Okoth, who responded by powering home a thunderous header past the stretching hands of Shabana goalkeeper Maxwell Muchesia.
After taking the lead, Police resorted to a defensive style of play, knowing that they had achieved more than they needed. Heading into the fixture, a draw was enough to hand them the title, but now they were on their way for their 18th win of the season.
In the relegation battle, Posta Rangers remained 15th with 34 points, Nairobi City Stars stayed on the play-off zone with 34 points while Murang’a Seal, and Bidco United remained rooted in the automatic relegation spots, 17th and 18th, with 34 and 32 points respectively.
Check out the game summary from Police FC's win with Flashscore.
