Kenya Police failed to take their home advantage in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary first-leg tie as they settled for a barren draw with Ethiopia’s side Coffee at the Nyayo National Stadium.Police, who were making their first appearance at this competition, had been tipped as favorites coming into this tie given they were playing infront of their fans, but ended up blunt upfront, and with it a massive opportunity missed.The result means that the two sides will now battle it out for a slot in the second round of the preliminary stage, set to be held in Ethiopia next weekend.##NAJAVA_MECA_8275735##Match Report Needing to take care of home advantage, it was an uncharacteristic start from the hosts, who failed to lay their inprints on the game.Bar two fluffed crosses from left back Abud Omar, the other piece of notable action from the Law Enforcers was an devastating injury to midfielder Brian Musa, who was forced off inside 15 minutes and replaced by Charles Ouma.As soon as Anteneh Beyene shot wide in the 24 minute, a passive Police side suddenly turned on their screw, threatening with every foray upfront.The first opportunity came from Eric Zakayo as he curled an attempt wide, while Tyson Otieno hit his shot from just inside the box over the bar.And after a goalless first half draw, Salim Babu threw his first gambit with a double substitution that saw the introduction of David Owino and Jackson Macharia for Jaffery Owiti and Tyson Otieno.The changes seemed to have an impact early on, as Police upped the ante and should have found themselves in the lead just past the hour mark.Owino, with pace to burn on the right win, set up Ugandan forward Alfred Leku inside the box, only for him to take an extra touch, spurning a straightforward opportunity.Leku was moments later involved inside the box, but a tame header from a lurking cross went agonisingly wide.That was however his last piece of meaningful action as he was hooked off for Clinton Kinanga, with Alvin Mang’eni coming on for Zakayo.Late on, Police fans were sighing as their opponents made attack after attack in the dying minutes, perhaps indicative of a missed opportunity and tough outing.More work to do in the second leg.
