Kenya Police tamed by Ugandan giants Vipers in pre-season friendly

©Kenya Police

Kenya Police tamed by Ugandan giants Vipers in pre-season friendly

Festus Chuma 21:57 - 27.07.2024

Kenya Police trip in Uganda saw Vipers SC display both strong attacks and defensive lapses in pre-season friendly.

Uganda Premier League giants Vipers SC emerged victorious over Kenya Police FC in a pre-season friendly played at St.Mary's Stadium in Kitende, Kampala on Saturday night.

The Venoms first competitive match under new coach Nikola Kavazovic was decided by an early goal from Kenneth Kimera with second-half substitute Gusto Mulongo adding the second in added time.

Yet Kavasovic will be far less happy with a scrappy second half in which the Venoms were much more threatening and should have been awarded a penalty.

Kenya Police created a few threatening moments in the opening minutes, the best of which saw Francis Kahata flash a shot over the crossbar after a fine through ball from Musa Mohamed.

However, the Venoms pressure in attack paid off in the sixth minute when Kenneth Miguna poor pass was intercepted by Kimera who sent a crisp finish on the half-volley to find the bottom corner and put the hosts 1-0 up.

The team in red continued to pin the Law Enforcers back and searched for a second goal through the course of the first half, with the lively Allan Okello notably striking an effort across the face of goal on 34 minutes.

Kenya Police, aside from a couple of times when they were able to put the ball into the hosts’ penalty area from set pieces, provided almost nothing in attack and were flattered by being only one goal down at the halftime interval.

The Law Enforcers were much more progressive early in the second stanza, with Francis Kahata dragging a shot wide of the mark for their first attempt at a goal.

Yet Vipers soon clicked back into attack mode and should have doubled their lead in the 51st minute when a ball dragged across the back picked out Waiswa, but his shot with his weaker right foot was straight at goalkeeper Patrick Matasi.

Kenya Police had a first shot on target on 56 minutes when Musa Mohamed cracked a left-footed volley goalwards, but Kimera made a sharp save to keep the home side ahead, while a 64th minute counter for the Venoms saw Katongele miss out on a glorious chance for a second goal with a miscued shot on the edge of the box.

A promising shot came in from Kevin Owino on the edge of the box with a quarter of an hour remaining, however, it sailed narrowly over the angular of the goal.

Kenya Police had further chances to level the game but failed to capitalize on them, leaving Vipers relieved as they added their second goal in added time courtesy of new recruit Mulongo.