Koutiama strike ends Kenya Police’s six-game drought in gritty win over Mara Sugar
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 24.01.26. | 17:24
Kuotima struck 25 minutes from time to seal maximum points for the law enforcers, handing head coach Nicholas Muyoti his maiden victory since taking charge in what was only his second match at the helm
Kenya Police produced a disciplined and resilient display to edge past Mara Sugar 1-0 in a fiercely contested FKF Premier League encounter at Awendo Green Stadium, as Burkina Faso forward Yves Kuotima’s second-half strike proved decisive in a match defined by fine margins, missed chances and tactical intensity.
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Kuotima struck 25 minutes from time to seal maximum points for the law enforcers, handing head coach Nicholas Muyoti his maiden victory since taking charge in what was only his second match at the helm.
The hard-fought win not only ended Police’s six-match winless run but also reignited their title defence, cutting the gap on league leaders AFC Leopards to five points and keeping them firmly within reach of the summit.
Police went into the contest knowing victory was non-negotiable in their quest to retain the FKF Premier League crown for a second successive season.
Mara Sugar, on the other hand, entered the clash under mounting pressure, sitting 13th on the standings, just seven points above the relegation zone and winless in five matches.
With contrasting ambitions but equal urgency, the stage was set for a high-octane battle, and it duly delivered.
The hosts burst out of the blocks and nearly took the lead inside the opening minutes.
New signing Alex Imbusia announced his presence with a thunderous strike that crashed against the upright after capitalising on a poorly cleared ball by Geoffrey Onyango, leaving Police goalkeeper Job Ochieng beaten.
Mara continued to press, with Timothy Ndayala and Dennis Cheruyoti both going close as the Kilgoris-based side dominated early proceedings.
Police weathered the storm and gradually grew into the contest.
Malonga Ernest registered their first meaningful attempt with an acrobatic overhead kick that lacked the power to trouble Joseph Ogenda in the Mara goal.
Kuotima soon followed with a sharp run behind the defence, only for Harun Thomas to make a timely headed clearance, before Tobias Otieno fired narrowly over from a corner as Police began to assert themselves.
Chances continued to fall at both ends in an open first half. Erick Zakayo tested Ogenda with a fierce low drive, while Mara threatened through Imbusia’s trickery and Jimmy Owili’s dangerous set-piece deliveries.
Dennis Cheruyoti came closest before the break, narrowly missing the target with Ochieng scrambling, as the sides headed into the interval deadlocked at 0-0 despite a flurry of opportunities.
Mara resumed the second half with renewed purpose and almost broke the deadlock moments after the restart.
Cheruyoti latched onto a loose ball and struck goalward from close range, only to miss agonisingly with Ochieng beaten. It was a moment that would later haunt the hosts.
Police responded with increased urgency, but it was Muyoti’s bold tactical intervention that shifted the momentum.
The coach introduced Brian Otieno, Alvin Mangeni and Edward Ondimo in a triple substitution that injected pace, creativity and composure into the visitors’ attack.
The breakthrough arrived in the 65th minute through a move that encapsulated
Captain David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng initiated the attack with a measured out-foot pass to Kuotima, who intelligently released Brian Otieno.
The former Posta Rangers midfielder surged forward before delivering a pinpoint cross, allowing Kuotima to apply a simple finish and send the travelling Police supporters into celebration as he grabbed his third consecutive goal since joining the Law enforcers on the ongoing mid-season transfer window
Mara Sugar threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser and came within inches of restoring parity.
Aineah Ndete missed a gilt-edged chance with the goal gaping, while Cheruyoti once again threatened late on, only to be denied by resolute defending led by David Ochieng and Charles Ouma.
Police had opportunities to kill the contest on the break, with Kuotima and Otieno both squandering chances, but the visitors held firm under late pressure to secure a vital victory.
The result sees the defending champions return to winning ways and remain firmly in the title conversation.
For Mara, however, the defeat extended their winless run to six matches, deepening concerns as the relegation battle intensifies.
