Kenya Police vs Al Hilal: Why CAF Ordered Champions League Clash Behind Closed Doors at Ulinzi Complex

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) moved the Champions League second-round first-leg clash between Kenya Police FC and Sudanese giants Al Hilal from Kasarani Stadium to the Ulinzi Sports Complex, citing security, safety, and logistical challenges. 

The crucial fixture, scheduled for Friday at 3 PM, will now be played behind closed doors, marking a rare occurrence in Kenya’s continental football history.

This decision follows a tumultuous week marked by national mourning and venue reshuffles after the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. 

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Originally, the preliminary round match was set for Nyayo National Stadium before being shifted to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, to accommodate Odinga’s state funeral. 

However, even that plan fell apart when the government designated Kasarani as the venue for public viewing of the late leader’s body, prompting CAF to relocate the game once more — this time to the military-run Ulinzi Sports Complex.

Despite the stadium being one of the most secure sports facilities in the country, CAF has maintained that no fans will be allowed entry. 

The decision has sparked discussions about whether playing at a military venue automatically guarantees safety or if broader logistical issues make crowd control more complex during a period of national mourning.

"The match is on at the same time but it has been moved to Ulinzi Complex," confirmed Police FC Chairman Munga Nyale. 

"Our big blow is that CAF has locked out fans from attending the match, but we will ensure we get the three points. We must win in the honour of Raila Odinga."

CAF’s directive for a closed-door match stems from multiple factors. First, the ongoing national mourning period has placed immense pressure on national security agencies, who are currently deployed to manage large public gatherings related to Odinga’s funeral arrangements. 

Authorities reportedly expressed concerns that the presence of fans at a high-profile continental fixture could overstretch available resources and create potential security vulnerabilities.

Secondly, logistical concerns at Ulinzi Sports Complex also played a part. While the facility, operated by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), boasts modern infrastructure, it has limited crowd-handling capacity compared to larger national venues like Kasarani or Nyayo. 

Given CAF’s strict standards for international matches — which include comprehensive emergency response protocols and secure spectator management systems — the decision to restrict attendance was viewed as a precautionary measure rather than a punitive one.

Additionally, CAF sources indicated that the military nature of the venue required coordination with multiple government agencies, including defense and interior ministries. 

The club, which eliminated Somalia’s Mogadishu City Club on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw in the first preliminary round, sees the Al Hilal fixture as a chance to solidify its rising status in African football. 

Despite the challenges, Police FC remains optimistic that their disciplined structure and morale will carry them through. 

The Law Enforcers hopes to honor the memory of the late Odinga, whose passing has profoundly affected the nation, by delivering a performance worthy of the moment.