HAIL INVINCIBLE ORANGE QUEENS: League champions in fine form, extend lead to eight points

Hockey Vaisakhi finals Orange Telkom ladies celebrate after winning Vaisakhi Tournament 2015 at City Park. ON 27/04/15 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

National women hockey champions Orange Telkom widened the gap between them and second-placed Strathmore University Scorpions to eight points in the Kenya Hockey Union league title chase.

The 17-time winners are at the summit of the table with 30 points, while the Scorpions, who dislodged Sliders, are second with 22 points after 10 rounds of matches.

Telkom, who are also the current African champions, have had a good run this season, scoring an impressive 82 goals and conceded just once. Head coach Jos Openda told Feverpitch their focus has now shifted to the continental title defence set for December 12 to 19 in Lusaka, Zambia.

"Our main objective is to defend the Africa Cup of Club Championships trophy. We have set the standards that we desire to maintain so that we can bring the crown home for a fourth successive time and eighth overall."

Openda added that they have no reason of failing to achieve their goal because they have full support of their sponsors, Orange, "who make sure they do not lack anything". He said that despite the flaws in the national team, Kenya rules in Africa when it comes to club hockey and this has been made possible through hard work and passionate players as well as a sponsor, who believes in them.

"Our sponsor ensures we have everything we need. All we are required to do, is work hard, play our hearts out and make the country proud because we have nothing to worry about, except our output on pitch."

Brimming with confidence, Openda said his players, who made a bulk of the national team that took part in continental Olympic qualifiers one week ago in South Africa, have acquired skills that will add value to their title retention campaign.

Orange will be joined by regulars Strathmore at the continental showpiece, while Butali Sugar Warriors and Kenya Police will represent the country in the men's category.

United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) are fourth on the log tied on 16 points with fifth-placed Vikings, but have a superior goal difference. Mount Kenya University, who are yet to win a match this season, are last in the table.

Men's premier league debutants Kenyatta University's Vultures moved to seventh place with 22 points after their 2-0 victory over 2012 champions Nairobi Sikh Union. Park Road, who were also on a successful weekend out following their 6-0 routing of Parklands Sports Club, are sixth, one point above the students.

Former champions Kenya Police, whose weekend tie against Wazalendo was not played after the water pump developed mechanical problems, still tops the men's table with 33 points. Defending champions Butali Sugar Warriors are second with 31 points after 12 rounds of matches, while Greensharks are third with 27 points amassed in 14 matches.

Despite the loss, Sikh Union held on to their fifth place with 25 points, while USIU-A men are sixth with 24 points.

Chase Sailors are still in control of the men's second division tier with 22 points as they chase a premier league promotion slot.