Kenya Police FC have labelled Sunday’s Mozzart Bet Cup final against Tusker at Kwale Stadium as a “matter of life and death.”
Having failed to defend their SportPesa League title, Kenya Police have set their sights on Tusker, vowing to make amends by clinching the domestic title against the brewers.
Kenya Police finished third in the SportPesa League with 55 points, 14 points behind champions Gor Mahia.
The high-stakes Mozzart Bet Cup final kicks off at 3pm, with the winner earning the sole ticket to represent the country in next season's Caf Confederation Cup.
Kenya Police FC players celebrate their win against Bandari FC on post-match penalties in their semi final match of the FKF Mozzart Bet Cup at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on May 16, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The winners will also receive a prize of Sh3 million, while the losing team will receive Sh2 million. The teams that finish third and fourth will receive Sh1.5 million and Sh1 million respectively.
“It's certainly a matter of life and death. There is no way we can afford to lose that match,” Kenya Police chairman Nyale Munga said during the team’s dinner at Police Sacco Stadium on Saturday evening.
He promised to reward the team with Sh2 million if they win the title, urging the players to finish the job in regular time to avoid the anxiety of post-match penalties.
Police's first triumph in the Mozzart Bet Cup was in 2024, when they defeated KCB FC 8–7 in a penalty shootout at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Police booked their ticket for this season's final following a 5–3 win over Bandari in a penalty shootout. The two teams played out a goalless draw in normal time at Nyayo Stadium.
“When we won at the Ulinzi Sports Complex two years ago, the match was decided by penalties. This time, when we go to Kwale, I urge each of you who are selected to play to ensure that we win in 90 minutes,” said Nyale.
"We have had 14 days to prepare for this match, and I believe we are going to win. If you win the match and bring home the trophy, I will ensure this playing unit receives Sh2 million from me as the chairman,” he added.
Although Police’s coach, Nicholas Muyoti, acknowledged that the match would be challenging, he expressed confidence that his team would prevail.
“I want us to come back to Nairobi with the trophy. It won't be easy, but we'll give it our all,” said the former Kenya international.
Kenya Police coach Nicholas Muyoti reacts on the touchline during their FKF Premier League match against Murang'a Seal at Police Sacco Stadium in Nairobi on May 6, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Police head into the final as favourites, having defeated Tusker 2–1 and 1–0 in the first and second legs of the SportPesa League, respectively.
Nyale said that they had secured Kwale Stadium for three days to ensure the team acclimatised well ahead of the match.
Meanwhile, Tusker, under Frenchman Julien Mette, will be aiming to win their fifth title in the competition. Their previous wins were in 1975, 1989, 1993 and 2016.
They secured their place in this season's final with a 4-3 victory over KCB in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw in regular time.
