Hockey: Amira Sailors hit three past hosts Mombasa Sports Club

Sports News: Premier ladies Telkom vs Chase Bank Sailors. Amira Sailors Bridgit Naliaka hits the ball when they played Orange Telkom in the Premier Ladies at City Park yesterday, on 13/11/2016 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Prolific striker Susan Oketch was on fire, scoring twice as Amira Sailors defeated hosts Mombasa Sports Club (MSC) 3-1 in a Kenya Hockey Union women’s league match at the weekend. 

International Pauline Naise added the third as Amira completed their fifth win of the season.

Amira bounced back from a disappointing 2-0 defeat to United States International University of Africa (USIU-A), who stalled in their quest for a good finish this season.

They are now third with 17 points, 10 less than league leaders Telkom Orange and four less than USIU-A in second position.

Amira coach Lynnet Onyango said despite dropping points in the first leg, they would fight for a better finish.

“I’m glad we corrected the mistakes we made against USIU-A and secured maximum points. We set goals at the beginning of the season and even though we have dropped points, we are still determined to achieve our objectives,” Onyango said.

After 25 minutes of a goalless battle, Naise scored through a penalty strike after Oketch was fouled in the circle. Amira led 1-0 at the break. On resumption, MSC intensified their hunt for the equaliser and their efforts paid off through Maureen Okumu in the 45th minute.

Not ready to lose more points, Amira surged on and Oketch got it right as she dribbled past MSC defenders and goalkeeper Brenda Wangila to give her side a 2-1 advantage. Oketch completed her brace three minutes to full-time and with that, the Amira players burst into celebration.

However, Chase Sailors were not as lucky as their Amira sisters, losing 2-1 to Nakuru in the men’s Premier League match at City Park.

Dolcan Mugaisi and Erick Aywe were on target for Nakuru, while Among Esese scored Chase’s consolation goal. Nakuru failed to complete a double in their second weekend encounter, losing 1-0 to Parklands.

[Elizabeth Mburugu]