CAF Confederations Cup: Visiting Zamalek arrest Police on home soil, at Nyayo Stadium

Kenyan representatives to the CAF Confederations Cup Kenya Police FC have been left with a mountain to climb after they fell 0-1 to Zamalek of Egypt in the preliminary tie at the Nyayo National Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Police went behind at the stroke of half-time when Abdalah Mohammed put the Egyptians ahead and Police efforts after the breather came to a naught.

The result means that the Kenyan side must win the return leg in Cairo next weekend by at least 2-0 if they are to sail to the next stage.

Zamalek’s game plan was to keep possession and dictate play and this was evident in the first stage of the first half. It took Police long to settle in the game with Jesse Were having the best chance to put the home side ahead but he skied his chance high and wide from inside the six-yard area.

The law enforcers will have to work on their defence which gave away the free kick, leading to the opener. The second half saw Police up their search for an equalizer with the game played in the opposition’s half but try as they may the game ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors.

The second half began with the Egyptians looking more comfortable, but Police repeatedly broke the line, creating some excellent chances, but to no avail.

The two teams will lock horns again in Cairo on Friday, with the aggregate winner progressing to the competition’s knockout stage.

By Emmanuel Ochieng