Champions’ might: Strathmore ladies thrash Kampala as Simba are held

By Elizabeth Mburugu  in kampala 

Kenya Simba Union player Davis Wanangwe (right) challenges Ghana Golden Sticks’ Emmanuel Akaba for the ball during Africa Hockey Club Championships in Kampala, Uganda on Sunday.  [PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE/standard]

Strathmore University ladies thrashed Kampala Hockey Club of Uganda 11-0 in the ongoing Africa Hockey Club Championships in Lugogo National Hockey Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

The Kenyan girls, making their second appearance in the continental showpiece, made their intentions known from the first whistle, dominating the entire match.

Strathmore head coach Meshack Senge told FeverPitch: “We played according to our plan but there is still room for improvement.”

“We lost many scoring  chances and we need to work on that for our next match,” he added.

Lucy Wanjiku put the students in the lead with her 11th minute field goal from a Laura Gichau pass.

Wanjiku then scored four more goals in the 35th, 57th and 60th minutes before Vyvonne Wanjiku netted a hattrick in the 15th, 48th and 53rd minutes.

Laura Gichau made sure her name was on the score sheet scoring in the 18th minute goal. Linda Ayodi, Caroline Njoki and Eva Nkatha scored a goal each to seal their big victory.

In the men’s encounter between Nairobi Simba and Yobe Warriors of Nigeria, Simba came from 2-0 to hold Yobe to a 2-2 draw.

The Nigerian Warriors went up in the ninth minute with Idris Dakumi converting a penalty corner.

Simba came back into the game but lost focus in the 22nd minute when Jauro Aliyu punished the Kenyans by slotting in their second in the 22nd minute for a 2-0 scoreline at half time.  Simba came into the second half a composed side, keeping the Nigerians at bay but failing to convert.

They played well and their efforts paid off in the dying minutes of the game, pulling one back in the 54th minute through Haggai Sikhila.

National team forward George Mutira leveled the score in the 58th minute to share the spoils with the Nigerians.

Simba team manager Kalpesh Solanki blamed his side’s performance saying: “The match was delayed and that had a negative impact on our players.”

The match was delayed for about an hour as Yobe had not arrived.

He also said their aim is to win their next match against Golden Sticks and earn three vital points.

“We look forward to our next match, which is a must win,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kenya Police will today battle it out with Egypt Police in the ongoing Africa Hockey Club Championships at Lugogo Stadium in Kampala.

The two clubs tie on three points but Egypt are second in group ‘B’ table on goal difference.

Kenya Police head coach Kenneth Kaunda says the men in uniform must win their match against the Pharaohs to keep their title dream alive.

“We have to win every match we play if we have to keep our hopes of winning this title alive,” he said.

“We have trained intensely for this tournament and we will play our best,” he added. The law enforcers will be fighting for their second win having won their opener against Union Bank of Nigeria.