Orange rout Twende: Strathmore Scorpions sting Gentrix of Malawi 12-0 to advance to semis

Betsy Ommalla and Nicola Watson of BAC

Six-time Africa women's Cup of Club Champions Orange Telkom yesterday extended their winning ways with a 9-0 hammering of Twende of Tanzania to qualify for the semi-finals.

The African queens have kept a perfect record and are yet to concede a goal.

The Kenyan girls showed their hunger and intent as true champions in all the matches they have played, forcing their opponents to play in their half for the better part of their three encounters.

Head coach Jos Openda was full of praise for his defence unit, which has been superb, saying they are getting better with every match.

"My defenders have been fantastic, they have played their roles very well and our goalkeeper remains untested after three matches," he said.

Openda added that there was improvement in his forward line though it still requires minimal polishing as the competition is becoming tougher as they head into the knock-out stages.

Kenya international Lilian Aura opened the score four minutes into play, converting a penalty corner that was nicely pushed through by Barbara Simiyu and stopped by Terry Juma. Two minutes later veteran Jacqueline Mwangi was set by veteran Hellen Chemtai at the edge of the circle and she superbly sent it past Twende's goalkeeper Sofia Saguti.

Chemtai continued with her impressive form, adding a third for the champions in the 10th minute.

The Tanzanian ladies composed themselves as they tried in vain to contain the Kenyans from running amok. Their intention was to limit the damage though, as they held tight their defence.

However, Aura converted a second penalty corner in the 26th minute and a minute later, Margaret Rotich scored from a short corner.

Captain Betsy Ommalla scored in the 32nd minute to give Orange a 6-0 advantage by the break.

Chemtai added her second for the match in the 55th minute as Simiyu made it eight four minutes before Mwangi sealed the victory in the 61st minute.

Strathmore University Scorpions, Kenya's second team in the competition, gave debutants Gentrix of Malawi a hockey lesson with a 12-0 beating.

Yvonne Wanjiku, who grabbed last tournaments top scorers award, is on course to retain the title and she made her intentions known with a hat-trick in the 18th, 43rd and 44th minutes. Former Captain Lucy Mbugua also got three in the ninth, 63rd and 68th minutes.

Prolific striker Gilly Okumu and Captain Rachel Owuor scored a brace each while Pauline Amutebi and Laura Guchau were on point to score one goal apiece to add to the huge victory. Wanjiku told Feverpitch that the team comes first but she would also like to win this tournaments top scorers award.

Wanjiku, who scored two goals in the previous event against Ghana Revenue Authority, said they will play their hearts out because winning against the formidable Ghanaian side was not going to be easy.

In the men's title hunt, Trustees of Ghana disarmed Police Machines of Nigeria 4-0 to maintain their unbeaten run. Francis Tettey and Anum Abdur Rahman scored field goals in the 16th and 30th minutes respectively. Salya Nsalbini and Ernest Opuku also scored through converted penalty corners.