Scorpions sting Vikings as champions Butali Sugar Warriors overcome Nakuru Club

Orange vs Strathmore. Orange Betsy Omalla with the ball(l) as Strathmore player Judy Apondi(r) blocks when they played National Women at City Park. Orange scored 2-0. ON 31/01/16 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Strathmore University’s Scorpions defeated Vikings 1-0 in a Kenya Hockey Union women’s league match yesterday at City Park.

Judy Apondi scored Scorpions’ all-important goal in the 17th minute. Despite bagging the crucial points, Strathmore coach Meshack Senge was a disappointed man, saying his players put up a poor show.

“It was a no-show from my side; nothing was working for us. There was a disconnect between my players, especially in the midfield, and attack,” Senge told Feverpitch, adding that he feared his players might have underrated their opponents. According to Senge, his side thought it would be an easy game.

Going forward, Senge, who was away on international duty with men’s national team, said he was confident that his players would bounce back to their usual winning ways.

“They were not at their best. It could have been because I was away from the team, hence their current poor form. Nonetheless, we have a big game next weekend and I expect nothing less than 100 per cent output.’’

The Scorpions have an uphill task in their next tie when they take on the high-flying Sliders, who remain unbeaten in their campaign. They are yet to drop a point and have maintained a clean sheet all through.

In the men’s premier league contest, champions Butali Sugar Warriors overcame Nakuru Club 3-2 to extend their unbeaten run. Barnabas Odhiambo, Frank Wanangwe and Emmanuel Simiyu scored for Butali, while Caleb Kinjo and Dolcan Mugaisi scored Nakuru’s goals.

Nakuru were twice unlucky after they lost in their other match to Parklands. Parklands captain Franklin Nyang’au’s second half goal was enough to hand Nakuru another defeat in their weekend outing.

Nyang’au deflected in Fredrick Okeyo’s shot for the winner.
Nakuru captain Jacob Githinji said they were hoping for a comeback after a good fight against Butali, but luck was not on their side.

“It was just hard luck because we gave our all. We fought very hard, but it was not just our weekend. We, however, take lessons and I am hopeful that we will bounce back and win our next matches,” said Githinji.

Former premier league titleholders Nairobi Sikh Union rallied from behind to beat Kenyatta University Vultures 2-1 and increase their chances of making it to the playoffs.

Lawrence Makhaba put the students in the lead eight minutes into the game, but their celebrations were cut short when Carlo Wanjile restored parity seven minutes later. Shabaz Shah scored the winner in the 19th minute.

In the men’s second division tier, Multimedia University thrashed their Daystar counterparts 3-2. Peter Chege bagged a brace, while Machibi Karanja scored one goal for Multimedia. In another match, Dedan Kimathi University drew 0-0 with Karate Axiom.