League champions Orange too good for Titans

Orange Tracy Karanja and Strathmore Yvonne Wanjiku fight for the ball when they played Vaisakhi Tournament 2015. Orange won 5-0. ON 27/04/15 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Orange Telkom continued with their winning ways as they defeated Kenyatta University (KU) Titans 4-0 to keep their unbeaten record intact.

United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Spartans were also on the list of the day’s winners when they pumped nine goals past Mount Kenya University.

Orange assistant coach Josephine Ataro said despite the win, her players needed to improve on their penalty corners and also acknowledged that KU had improved.

“We are having challenges converting the penalty corners. This is an area we need to work on for better results in our subsequent matches,” Ataro said.

Orange, who are the 17-time national champions, are using the league matches to prepare for their continental title defence, which calls for extra work if they intend to retain the African trophy. Orange tried to break the KU defence in the first half with no success, as both teams headed to the locker-room even.

The Titans were not ready to go down easily and played defensively thwarting all efforts made by the Africa queens. However, a change of play in the second half saw them surge forward, which left some gaps that veteran Jackline Mwangi utilised to break the deadlock in the 43rd minute as Orange led 1-0.

Seven minutes later, Mwangi scored another field goal after KU’s goalkeeper failed to clear Audrey Omaido’s shot. Terry Juma converted a penalty corner in the 54th minute to give Orange a 3-0 lead, while youngster Maureen Okumu scored a field goal in the 61st minute to give Orange the 4-0 conquest.

KU’s captain Prudence Wasilwa said they had played well, despite the loss.

“We played well today and we kept them at bay. We lost 6-0 to them in the first leg. so today’s score line shows we have improved,” Wasilwa said.

In the USIU-A, MKU tie, Beatrice Mbugua, Sandra Vodoti and Rhoda Kuira scored a brace each, while Racheal Njogu, Mauwa Williams and Beatrice Wekesa also scored past MKU goalkeeper Shirley Liavuli.

Shadrack Ruto heroics gave men’s premier league debutants KU Vultures a deserved 2-0 win over 2012 champions Nairobi Sikh Union. Ruto, who has been instrumental in the Vultures’ run this season, tormented Sikh’s defence, scoring in the 34th and 64th minutes.

Sikh struggled without key player Allan Iningu, who was injured during their Olympic qualifying match against Egypt. The win marks a positive start to the second leg for the students, who are aiming to finish in the top eight spot.

In another premier league encounter, Andrew Kamau and Cyrus Kanyi scored a brace as Parkroad defeated Parklands Sports Club 6-0.