By Oscar Pilipili

Champions Kisumu Simba beat Simba Union Nairobi 3-2 in the battle of the simbas to qualify for the final of Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) premiership play-off.

Green Sharks shocked pre-match favourites Kenya Police 4-3 on post-match flicks after a barren draw in normal time on Thursday in another semi-final duel to set a final date with Kisumu Simba.

Kamal Sambi (left) of Kisumu Simba and Manpreet Kalsi of Simba Union during semi-final play-off match at City Park Stadium on Saturday. Simba won 3-2 Photo: Martin Mukangu /Standard

The first match was so tough and entertaining that the lakeside boys needed an extra-time goal by Meshack Senge to sail through to the final.

The teams had settled to a 2-2 draw in the normal time of the match at City Park Stadium.Willies Otieno (17th) and Manpreet Kalsi (43rd) scored for Simba Union, while Kisumu Simba replied through Senge (40th) and Ken Olumasi (46th).

penalty shoot-out

In the second match, Police captain Moses Cheplaiti converted the first spot kick and so did teammates Stephen Kimase and Vincent Otieno. Richard Birir and Willy Okeyo missed their flicks during the hotly contested match that was well attended.

Sharks scored four goals through Tony Nyakori, Lawrence Mutuko, Patrick Ogora and Leonard Mutuku but captain Nixon Nyangaga lost his penalty.

The results shattered Police’s dream to win their maiden title after a fantastic run that saw them top the premier league. This is the first time that Sharks have reached the final of the premiership.

Premiership play-offs have proved a tricky affair as rank outsiders have in the past shocked favourites to claim the title. Kisumu Simba finished fourth in the league last year but they displayed sterling performance to lift the title at the play-offs.

International hockey

The hockey season ends today with the final match at the same venue at 10am.

Thereafter, there will be presentation of trophies in all the categories including women’s and men’s national leagues that were played over the last two weekends.

Meanwhile, KHU go to polls to elect officials to manage the federation for the next four years.

There is no list of candidates because nomination is done on the floor but Chairman Resham Bains is expected to return unopposed.

Secretary-General Peter Kiruma wants to retain the seat that has also attracted Nairobi Hockey Union (NHU) secretary Davinder Bhamji and treasurer Tom Olal.

The main achievement of the current office led by Bains is the re-construction of the City Park Stadium and return of Kenya to international hockey.

Those vying are holding onto their blue prints, saying they would make public the document after elections to be held at Simba Union Nairobi starting 12am. Kiruma said 27 delegates are expected to attend the conference.

He said six delegates would come from Nairobi, with Coast, Rift Valley, Central and Nyanza sending two each.

Olal, who had earlier lodged complaints of being left out of the list of delegates, will now attend the Annual General Meeting.