The law enforcers have endured a worst start to the season which has seen them rooted at the bottom of the 18-team league table with eight points from eight matches.
This is a stark contrast from last season when they challenged record champions Gor Mahia for the title before they stumbled in the closing stages but went ahead to win the domestic FKF Cup after beating KCB 8-7 on penalties in the final.
This season, Police have one win to their name - a 2-0 result against promoted outfit Mathare United. They kicked off the season with a 1-1 draw against Tusker, drew 0-0 against Ulinzi Stars, drew 1-1 against Sofapaka, suffered a 1-0 defeat against Shabana, drew 0-0 against Kariobangi Sharks, drew 1-1 against KCB before losing 1-0 against AFC Leopards in their last assignment.
The poor performances forced the club management to fire coach Salim Babu and the entire technical bench with Beldine Odemba taking charge on an interim basis.
Odemba, who doubles up as the national women’s team Harambee Starlets head coach, oversaw only one game - against KCB - before paving the way for Ndayiragije.
I have the hunger
Ndayiragije, who arrives at Police after leaving his role with Burundian national team, has revealed his desperation to help turn around the club’s fortunes for the better.
“I am very happy to take up the role at PoliceFC, I must admit that I am very desperate to get going, I am itching to start the job because I have the hunger to see the team start performing well,” Ndayiragije told Flashscore. “We can still turn things around and compete for the title, the league is marathon and we still have more matches to play.”
“It will be great to achieve good things here but what is really driving me (to perform) is the hunger to turn around the team’s fortunes, I am prepared and ready to help the team start winning matches.”
While admitting that it will not be an easy task, Ndayiragije remained confident that with the quality of players in the Police squad, everything was possible.
“I know what I am looking for, I have been in this situation before (joining a struggling team) and I know what to do and what to expect. I have the belief we can bring the team to where it belongs, all we want is good results and that is the target for now.”
Police fans should stay calm
Ndayiragije, who previously coached Tanzania national team Taifa Stars before taking charge at Mainland Premier League outfit Azam FC, refused to divulge his style of play only calling on everyone associated with the club to stay calm and support his course.
Asked about his philosophy of play, he said: “I don’t want to reveal it out there for our enemies to see, I want to urge the fans to stay calm, my philosophy can only be seen on the pitch, football is not about talking too much, football is about action, so all the fans should wait and see what will happen and they judge me from there.”
His decision to join Police gives him another opportunity to work with midfielders Francis Kahata and Kenneth Muguna. When he coached Muguna while at Azam, he played against Kahata, who was featuring for Simba SC.
Asked how it feels to reunite with the two players again, Ndayiragije explained: “I am very happy to see them again, they are among the experienced players in the Police squad, very skilled players and I know they will help me to stabilise the team.
“I watched them in Tanzania and they left a big name in the Tanzanian league, I have seen them in training and they still have it, they look fit and good to play, and they have given me motivation to help me steer the team from the bad results.”
Ndayiragije continued: “The good thing is that Police have a good squad, in fact having a good squad is one of the reasons I decided to take up the challenge, so mine is to help them to increase their level of play and this will help lift the team’s level and everyone of us together and I have the confidence the players will not disappoint me.”
Police's next five matches will see them take on Nairobi City Stars on Wednesday, December 4th, Mara Sugar on Saturday, December 7th, Bidco United on Wednesday, December 11th, face champions Gor Mahia on Saturday, December 14th and tackle Kakamega Homeboyz on December 21st.
