Police FC players/HANDOUT

Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman claimed a crucial 1–0 away win over Kenya Police FC in the CAF Champions League preliminary round at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Friday.

The match was decided in the 20th minute by a moment of brilliance from 21-year-old Adama Coulibaly. Sprinting between two defenders, he latched onto a diagonal pass and calmly slotted past Job Ochieng in goal — a composed finish that ultimately sealed victory.

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“We came for control, not chaos,” said Al Hilal head coach Jean-Florent Ikwange Ibengé. “One chance, one goal — that’s how you survive away from home. The boys showed maturity beyond their years.”

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After the goal, Hilal dropped deep and played on the counter, relying on their structure and discipline. Kenya Police, making their continental debut, responded with energy and belief. Marvin Nabwire came close with a curling shot that skimmed the crossbar, while Misuri Exaule forced a fine save from Hilal keeper Soufiane Farid.

Police’s pressure intensified in the second half. Tobias Otieno unleashed a powerful long-range effort that Farid tipped wide. Substitutes Edward Omondi and David Okoth added urgency, and Okoth nearly equalised with a towering header, again denied by Farid’s heroics.

“We created enough to win,” said Kenya Police coach Etienne Ndayiragije. “But at this level, one lapse costs everything. I told the boys: we lost the battle, not the war.”

Hilal saw out the match with game management — slowing the tempo, drawing fouls, and breaking Kenya Police’s rhythm. The visitors could have added a second on the break, but Ibengé was satisfied with the clean sheet.

“In this competition, a clean sheet away is gold,” he said. “We’ll control the return leg in Benghazi, but we respect Kenya Police — they showed they can fight.”

Ndayiragije praised his players’ character and vowed to regroup.

“We’ll go to Libya with more hunger. The dream is still alive. We know what to fix — composure, final passes, finishing.”

As the final whistle blew, Al Hilal celebrated quietly — aware the job is only half done. For Kenya Police, it was a night of missed chances and hard lessons, but the second leg offers a fresh opportunity — and belief still lingers.