Many were backing Police FC to pose a real threat to APR’s title bid in the 2023/24 Primus National League season after back-to-back challengers Kiyovu Sports showed no potential to fight again due to financial constraints.
However, it is becoming evidently clear that the law enforcers are gradually bottling it up considering their stumbling form in the second round of the league campaign.
ALSO READ: Agblevor leaves Musanze for Police
Coach Vincent Mashami and his Police FC side have been far from convincing picking just one point out of a possible nine after losing twice and drawing once so far in the second round of the league. They lost to both APR FC and Sunrise (1-0 and 2-1 respectively) and on Sunday, February 4, they were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation threatened Etincelles FC at Kigali Pele Stadium.
From the type of transfers made so far, Police FC should not be in this situation. They won the Heroes Cup but we all need to agree that Cup games are equally different from league matches.
From goalkeeping to attacking departments, Mashami is spoilt for choice. A team with Moro Sumaila, Bienvenue Mugenzi, Didier Mugisha and Djibrine Aboubakar Akuki on the bench has real quality.
What is the problem with Police FC?
Ghanaian striker Peter Agblevor has been firing from all angles since joining Police FC from Musanze FC on a Rwf20 million deal in the January 2024 transfer window. The first problem with Police FC is that they must play a two-man attack, meaning that Mashami should give up his preferred approach to pack midfield and play Agblevor up front which is becoming a problem.
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Agblevor has been excellent in a two-man attack. At Etoile de l'Est, he was paired with Samuel Nwosu Chukwudi and, although the club could not survive the 2021/21 league season but the duo banged in 20 goals between them.
At Musanze, in his first year, he paired Kenyan striker Luke Wafula and their partnership went up and firing. After Wafula left, Mohammed Sulley was brought in and the two clicked as well.
Mashami chooses to play Agblevor as a lone striker. Though he is performing well, the club can score more goals if he gets a striking partner.
Again, Police FC seem to underrate smaller teams and they are always found wanting. It is clear that they don't take smaller teams serious and they always get upset by them. In the first round they were humiliated 4-2 by Bugesera FC and in the second round they were held by struggling Etincelles team days after losing to Sunrise.
Mashami must know that, if he wants to win the league, he must not taka smaller teams serious and go all out and amass points just like APR do.
Moreover, midfield duo Abedi Bigirimana and Muhadjiri Hakizimana are very vital to the team. The pair are supposed to provide the arsenals for the strikers to score but they always tend to elaborate by holding on to the ball which makes the play of Police FC stagnant.
The duo must know their roles and understand that, for their team to win, 60 percent depends on them. They must play productive football rather than waste time on the ball which adds no value to team’s results.
Now, Police FC have slipped to fourth on the league table. They are trailing leaders APR by seven points while the defending champions have played a game less.
If Police FC don't quickly get their acts together, there is no way they can challenge APR to the title.