Kenya Police FC progressed to the semifinal of the Elite Pre-season Cup after edging out National Super League side, MCF 5-1 in a match staged at the Kasarani Annex on Tuesday afternoon.They join Nairobi City Stars in the last four while Ulinzi Stars and MCF crash out of tournament. The winner will pocket Ksh. 1 million.The opening stages of the game were feisty with both teams trying to take charge of the encounter. MCF tried to string passes while Police had a long-ball approach as they tried to bring their two strikers Clinton Kinanga and Elvis Rupia into the game early on.The first clearcut chance of the fuel went the law enforcers’ way in the 16th minute when Duke Abuya found space inside the area, his attempted volley however went over the bar. A minute later Patilah Omoto’s goal-bound freekick was cleared for a corner kick.MCF looked dangerous on the break put their final ball to lead striker Tony Nyang’or was wanting and it severally ended in Police defenders’ feet.MCF keeper Godfrey Were pulled a potentially match-winning save in the 37th minute to deny striker Kinanga from point blank range. Three minutes later Rupia flashed his effort across goal from a promising position.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Police won a penalty in the 41st minute when Rupia was hacked down inside the area. The striker received a long throw in from Francis Kahata and as he raced into the penalty area he was hacked down by veteran Alfred Maningi and a spot kick was awarded which Abuya successfully converted for a Police lead.The FKF PL side made three changes after the interval. Alvin Mang’eni, John Ndirangu and David Simiyu were introduced for Kahata, Kinanga and Rupia and four minutes into the game, Simiyu set up Abuya for his and Police’s second.In the 52nd minute, MCF conceded a second penalty when George Amayo handled a Ndirangu cross from the left flank, a penalty was awarded which Abuya stepped forward to complete his hattrick.📷|Man of the MomentDuke Abuya of @kenyapolicefc gets his Hatrick #ElitePreSeasonCup pic.twitter.com/QZpwNpt6of— Kariobangi Sharks FC (@k_sharksfc) September 27, 2022 MCF got their own spot kick in the 58th minute when Harun Shakava handled an Isaia Aleji cross. The forward stepped forward to to beat Job Ochieng from the spot. A minute later Ndirangu made it 4-1 after the law enforcers won the ball from a high press.Police continued to raid but somehow MCF survived further humiliation as good chances were missed by the attackers.Substitute Lesley Otieno made it five in the 76th minute turning home a Simiyu cross from the right flank.Police head to the semis as group B leaders.
