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Ndayiragije has explained how he managed to oversee Kenya Police's dramatic turnaround despite being in the job for a little over two weeks.
When Etienne Ndayiragije stepped into the role of head coach for Kenya Police , the club was languishing at the bottom of the FKF Premier League table. Winless in seven of their opening eight matches, the team seemed destined for mediocrity.
However, in just a few weeks, Ndayiragije has transformed the law enforcers into title contenders, achieving a stunning five-match winning streak and vaulting them to third place.
Police FC’s ambitions for the 2024/25 season were sky-high after clinching the FKF Cup and earning a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup.
However, an early exit at the hands of Egyptian giants Zamalek and a string of lackluster league results—including losses to Shabana and AFC Leopards—forced the club to make drastic changes. The dismissal of Salim Babu and Anthony Kimani marked a turning point, paving the way for Ndayiragije’s appointment.
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The Burundian tactician, well-versed in the Kenyan league from his time as Burundi’s national team coach, hit the ground running. “The Kenyan league wasn’t new to me,” Ndayiragije told FlashScore.
“I followed it closely because I needed to monitor Burundian players. That familiarity made it easier for me to settle in and start working.”
In his first five matches at the helm, Police FC stunned opponents with a combination of disciplined defending and clinical attacking. Wins over Nairobi City Stars (3-1), Mara Sugar (1-0), Bidco United (3-0), Gor Mahia (1-0), and FC Talanta (1-0) have seen them climb from the relegation zone to within one point of league leaders KCB and Tusker.
Asked what had driven the dramatic turnaround, Ndayiragije attributed the success to divine intervention and the players’ work ethic.
“It’s all about God and the effort from my players,” he remarked. “They’ve shifted gears since I came in, giving more than 100%. Their desire to win is unmatched, and their performance speaks for itself.”
While Ndayiragije is modest about his role, his tactical adjustments and motivational skills have been pivotal. His familiarity with the league allowed him to implement a game plan tailored to exploit opponents’ weaknesses, while his ability to inspire confidence rejuvenated a demoralized squad.
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Despite the team’s meteoric rise, Ndayiragije remains grounded. He’s downplayed title talk, instead emphasizing the importance of focusing on one game at a time.
“We don’t want to talk about the title yet,” he told Flashscore. “We aim to win every match and see where we are at the halfway stage of the season. What happens if we win all our remaining matches? Let’s wait and see.”
This pragmatic approach has instilled a sense of purpose within the squad, ensuring that they remain focused on the task at hand rather than getting carried away by external expectations.
Police FC will look to extend their winning streak to six matches when they face Kakamega Homeboyz on Saturday. For Ndayiragije, the objective is clear: maintain the momentum and continue climbing the league table.
With the players responding to his methods and a tactical system that has proven effective, the future looks bright for Kenya Police FC under Ndayiragije’s stewardship.
Whether they can sustain this form long enough to challenge for their maiden league title remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the Burundian tactician has already made a significant impact in a remarkably short time.
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