The match, which was earlier planned for Nyayo National Stadium, was moved to Ulinzi Complex due to the memorial service that was held in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The decision forced the Confederation of African (CAF) to order the fixture to be played behind closed doors.
Police should blame themselves for not using the opportunities they created before Al Hilal scored what turned out to be the winner in the 19th minute. Striker Adama Coulibaly took advantage of a defensive mix-up to find the back of the net with a low effort past Job Ochieng.
Police failed to score after going down
The goal stunned Police, who continued to raid the Sudanese Premier League champions and they almost levelled the scores in the 24th minute when Eric Zakayo squared a superb cross from the right but forward Samuel Ayanrinde hit his effort wide.
Police, under Burundian coach Etienne Ndayiragije, kept pressing for the equaliser, and in the 34th minute, midfielder Marvin Nabwire, formerly of AFC Leopards, missed an open sitter after being set up by Tobias Otieno.
The game remained a balanced affair as Al Hilal went into the half-time break leading 1-0. At the start of the second half, Police made a double change, with Zakayo and Exaule Misuri giving way for Edward Omondi, and David Okoth.
The introduction of the duo somehow revived Police’s chances of getting an equaliser, but once agai,n poor finishing denied them a goal. Okoth combined well with Otieno before setting up Omondi for his first touch of the ball, but despite being in a position to score, he rattled the woodwork.
Al Hilal with advantage ahead of return leg
The Kenyan champions resorted to a third change in the 61st minute, Samuel Olewasegun was withdrawn for Clinton Kinanga.
Al Hilal were not willing to cave in as their defence remained solid at the back, and once again denied Kinanga, whose free header was cleared out for the fourth corner of the game.
With time running out, Ndayiragije made another double change to help salvage something from the game in the 73rd minute. Daniel Sakari and Tobias Otieno came out for Albert Otieno and Geoffrey Onyango.
However, despite the changes, Al Hilal held onto their lead and will carry a slim advantage heading into the return leg set for Martyrs of February Stadium on Friday, October 24th.
Police, who are making their maiden appearance in the lucrative competition, reached the second round after surviving a scare against Somalian champions Mogadishu City Club. Police needed the away goals rule to qualify. They won the first leg 3-2 but suffered a shock 2-0 defeat in the return leg for a 3-3 aggregate result.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Nairobi United will continue with their journey in the Confederation Cup as they host Tunisian giants Étoile Sportive du Sahel in the second preliminary round first-leg encounter at the same venue.
The newly promoted side earned qualification to stage on the away goals rule after a 3-3 aggregate result against Ugandan side NEC FC. The first leg in Kampala had ended in a 2-2 draw before the return leg in Nairobi concluded in a 1-1 draw.
