Kenya Police FC’s stellar form under head coach Etienne Ndayiragije continued as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over FC Talanta in a rescheduled Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) match at Kenyatta Stadium on Wednesday 18th December afternoon.A 69th- minute strike by Alvin Mange’eni proved decisive, earning the law enforcers maximum points and pushing them up to third place on the league table.Police now sit on 23 points, just one point behind leaders KCB and Tusker, who are separated by goal difference.##NAJAVA_MECA_8582093##Meanwhile, Talanta remains entrenched in the relegation battle, occupying 15th place in the 18-team league with 14 points.The first half saw both sides create a few opportunities without capitalizing. Police midfielder Brian Musa came close in the 20th minute but sent his effort over the bar.Talanta had their chances, including a corner kick that Peter Njammah failed to convert and a controversial disallowed goal after Aboud Omar was adjudged to have been fouled before an own goal.REVEALED: How Michael Olunga and Engin Firat voted at 2024 FIFA Best AwardsBoth teams continued probing but were unable to break the deadlock before halftime, and the scores remained 0-0 as referee Edwin Ouma blew the whistle.At the start of the second half, Ndayiragije made an early tactical switch, bringing on Alvin Mange’eni for Francis Kahata.Mange’eni nearly made an immediate impact in the 52nd minute, finding himself one-on-one with Talanta goalkeeper Moustapha Odour, but Odour made a fine save to keep the match level.##NAJAVA_MECA_8580088##For much of the second half, the game stagnated with little action in the final third, as both teams battled for control in midfield.However, Police eventually found the breakthrough in the 69th minute. Full-back Baraka Badi outpaced his markers and delivered a pinpoint pass to Mange’eni, who slotted the ball home with precision for the match-winning goal.Police came close to doubling their lead moments later when Erick Zakayo, who had replaced Kenneth Muguna, forced Talanta onto the back foot with a spectacular effort.Division One side snatches Gilbert Selebwa to advance five-year FKF Premier League planBy then, Police were in full control, dominating possession and frustrating their opponents.The final whistle confirmed another crucial victory for Kenya Police, who will carry their momentum into their next fixture against Kakamega Homeboyz.
