POLICE FC coach Andre Cassa Mbungo has praised his team for putting up a spirited performance in their maiden participating in the Cecafa Kagame Cup championships which climaxed on Sunday.

Police finished third after beating KCCA 4-2 on shootout penalties following a 2-all draw in 90 minutes.

Jimmy Mbaraga had earlier opened the scoring for Police in the 35th minute to give the Rwandan side a 1-0 lead at half time.

Mbaraga intercepted Daniel Opolot Isiagi’s back pass before beating defender Saka Mpiima to put the ball past goalkeeper Martin Elungat.

The tournament’s top scorer with five goals, Brian Umony, equalised for the Ugandan side in the second period but Tom Masiko and Umony squandered their chances to take the game into penalty shootouts.

Substitute Habib Kavuma’s shot was saved by Police goalkeeper Marcel Nzarora, while Richard Kasagga’s effort hit the woodwork to give advantage to the Rwandan side.

Jacques Tuyisenge, Fred Ndaka, Jean d’Amour Uwimana and Eric Ngendahimana converted from the spot to guide debutants Police to a third place finish at the regional annual tournament.

"We are very happy that we finished in third although we would have wanted to go farther and win the tournament. Nonetheless, as a team that is competing for the first time at the tournament, we did well,” Cassa Mbungo said in a post-match interview.

Police pocketed $10,000 for finishing third.