Machakos, Kenya – April 6, 2025
Kenya Police FC missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the FKF Premier League table after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by bottom-placed Nairobi City Stars in a tense encounter played earlier today at the Machakos Stadium.
In a tightly contested affair, both teams had their moments but failed to convert chances into goals. The match saw former City Stars attacking midfielder Mohamed Ali Bajaber start against his former club. Job Ochieng’ wore the captain’s armband for the law enforcers, while long-serving defender Calvins Opolo Masawa led Nairobi City Stars.
Nairobi City Stars, meanwhile, left Kenya U20 international Gilbert Abala on the bench, opting for the experience Hansel Ochieng’, Dennis Oalo and Benjamin Murimi upfront.
The match began with high intensity, and Kenya Police nearly broke the deadlock in the 10th minute when Clinton Kinanga’s header from a long throw-in by Daniel Sakari rattled the post, sending early warning signs to the City Stars defense.
The response from City Stars was immediate, with Vincent Owino and Dennis Oalo testing the Police defense with shots in the 11th and 14th minutes, but both attempts were unsuccessful.
The visitors were dealt an early blow in the 21st minute when towering South Sudanese defender Rashid Toha limped off with an injury, forcing an early substitution. David “Cheche” Ochieng’ came on to stabilize the backline.
Three minutes later, Kinanga almost gave Police the lead with a quick-fire shot that beat the goalkeeper but whizzed just wide. In the 25th minute, City Stars’ Benjamin Murimi registered a shot on target, but Job Ochieng’ stood firm in goal.
In one of the game’s best moments, former City Star Mohamed Ali Bajaber floated in a pinpoint cross that found David Okoth. The winger met it with a thunderous header, only to see the ball crash against the upright, leaving fans gasping.
Nairobi City Stars won a free-kick in the 38th minute after Wycliffe Omondi was fouled, but Salim Odeka’s effort went wide. The teams went into the break locked at 0-0.
The second half saw more attempts, with City Stars pressing forward. In the 50th minute, Vincent Owino tried a speculative long-range effort that missed the target. Six minutes later, he unleashed another powerful shot, this time forcing a fine save from Job Ochieng’.
Kenya Police made changes in the 67th minute, introducing David Irushira and veteran striker Jesse Were in place of Alfred Leku and Clinton Kinanga. More changes followed in the 75th minute as Alvin Mang’eni and Daniel Musamali replaced David Okoth and Brian Musa.
City Stars responded in the 85th minute, bringing on Gilbert Abala and Abuyekah Kubasu in a bid to find a late winner. In the 90+2nd minute, Maxwel Odada and Kelvin Etemesi were introduced for Hansel Ochieng’ and Benjamin Murimi as both sides looked to make the final minutes count.
Despite five added minutes of stoppage time, neither side could find a breakthrough, and the match ended in a goalless stalemate.
The result means Kenya Police FC remain at the summit of the FKF Premier League, but their lead stays at just one point after title rivals Tusker FC also dropped points in a 1-1 draw away to Mara Sugar.
For Nairobi City Stars, the stalemate offered little relief in their relegation fight. They remain anchored at the bottom of the FKF Premier League table, anxiously awaiting the outcome of the clash between fellow strugglers Murang’a SEAL and Bidco United.
