Coach Ndayiragije's Efforts to Save Kenya Police FC from Relegation
Prince Jean
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Etienne Ndayiragije, the new head coach of Kenya Police FC
Etienne Ndayiragije, a Burundi coach, has been named the head coach of Kenya Police FC, a team in the FKF Premier League. He has extensive experience coaching both club and national teams and is seen as a new source of hope for the team, which has been having a tough time.
Ndayiragije has an extensive background in international coaching, having led national teams such as Tanzania and Burundi.
He achieved a significant milestone by taking Tanzania to the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 39 years. Also, he helped them reach the African Nations Championship by defeating teams like Kenya and Sudan. His tenure with Burundi’s national team concluded during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
Regarding club coaching, Ndayiragije has managed several top teams in East Africa, including Vital’O FC in Burundi, Azam FC in Tanzania, and Bugesera FC in Rwanda. His successful time with Azam FC further established their status as a leading club.
His background is particularly beneficial for Kenya Police FC, which is currently at risk of being demoted from the league.
Ndayiragije emphasizes the development of players, focusing on nurturing young talent and integrating them with seasoned players to form effective teams. This strategy might be vital for Kenya Police FC as they seek to enhance their standings both locally and in the region.
He has proven capable of securing positive outcomes even under difficult circumstances. For instance, he guided Tanzania to qualify for the CHAN tournament after ten years. Given that Kenya Police FC is currently in a challenging position, ranking 17th, they need his capability to recover from setbacks.
Facing major challenges since their move up to the premier league in 2021, Kenya Police FC has had inconsistent performances. With just eight points from seven matches, they are facing a challenging season ahead. Ndayiragije’s skills in managing pressure will be crucial, especially in his first major challenge—a match against AFC Leopards.
