Kenya Police kicked off their continental campaign with a 0-0 CAF Confederation Cup result against Ethiopian Coffee at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
Police head coach Salim Babu opted to parade a starting XI revolving around experienced and young players against the visiting Ethiopian Coffee. Harambee Stars goalkeeper Patrick Matasi started between the sticks with Bado Baraka, Aboud Omar, Rashid Toha and former Gor Mahia captain Musa Mohammed marshalling the defensive line.
Brian Musa, former AFC Leopards star Marvin Nabwire and Tyson Otieno took up the midfield role, Erik Zakayo operated from the wing while Jaffari Owiti and Alfred Leku spearhead the attacking area. It was the first competitive game the law enforcera were featuring in minus their lead striker Tito Okello, who left at the end of last season. Okello was the top scorer for Police in the FKF Premier League with 16 goals while he scored five goals in the domestic Cup.
Police looked the more dangerous side from the onset, and it was Tyson Otieno, who initiated the first meaningful chance in the ninth minute, but his flowing cross from the right was headed out by the unmarked Leku.
In the 15th minute, Police were forced into an early substitution after midfielder Brian Musa went down under a heavy challenge and was not able to resume play. His injury forced coach Babu and his tachnical bench to summon Charles Ouma as a replacement.
The injury, however, did not dampen Police, who continued to attach the visiting Ethiopian side and in the 17th minute, Leku saw his well-drilled effort from outside the 18-yard area go over the bar. Ouma’s first contribution came in the 34th minute, his defence splitting pass finding the unmarked Nabwire but the former Ingwe stalwart’s superbly taken strike went inches wide.
In the second half, Police wasted a chance after chance and they could not find a breakthrough as the Ethiopian side held on firm for a stalemate ahead of the return leg set for Addis Ababa in a fortnight. Police are making their debut in the inter-club competition by virtue of winning the Mozzart Bet Cup after beating KCB 8-7 on penalties in the final at the end of last season.