Ndayiragije discusses beating Gor Mahia to FKF Premier League title

Ndayiragije - Photo Credit: Kenya Police FC.

Burundian coach Etienne Ndayiragije discussed how he managed to deny Gor Mahia a third straight Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League trophy after they were crowned the winners of the 2024/25 season following their 1-0 win against Shabana on Sunday.

A 75th-minute bullet header courtesy of defender Brian Okoth ensured that Police reached an unassailable 64 points with a game to spare. They won the title after registering 18 wins, 10 draws and suffering five defeats.

Outgoing champions Gor Mahia, who were hoping for a miracle to retain the title on the final day of the season, secured a 3-2 win against Ulinzi Stars to take their tally of points to 58, six fewer than the new sheriffs in town.

“First I thank God for the latest achievement in my career, we asked and he has delivered, I also thank the players for giving their all, and the club bosses for doing a great job, especially the chairman for being there when needed,” Ndayiragije told Flashscore.

“I don’t want to forget my family, they have supported my journey throughout the season, since I stepped foot in Kenya, including my wife and kids, and my friend.”

Discussing about the Premier League title success, the Burundian said: “It is something that we wanted to achieve immediately I was appointed, remember I found the team fighting against relegation, they were rooted at the bottom, at first it never looked like, we could manage to haul ourselves from the position.

“But step by step we started moving up the table, we managed to put a run of nine matches without defeat and it placed us among the top three teams, and from their own, it looked like we could give the title a try.

“With our closest challengers Gor Mahia and Tusker dropping points week in, week out, we saw that gap of mixed results, and said, guys let’s go for it, and here we are now celebrating. It is something we worked for, we really put in a lot of effort to achieve, and I am happy we have been crowned.”

Police will be coronated on Sunday, when they face Gor Mahia in the final fixture of the season at Ulinzi Sports Complex.