Hockey: USIU-A students trap Vultures in KHU league

Hockey- GreenSharks vs Parkroad GreenSharks celebrate after scoring against Parkroad when they played Men Premier League at City Park. Greensharks scored 2-0. ON 20/10/2017(Jenipher Wachie, Standard)

United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) beat Kenyatta University’s Vultures 1-0 in a Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League match played at City Park Stadium.

Brian Kiplimo’s 18th minute goal was enough to give USIU-A maximum points and move them to fifth place on the standing.

USIU-A who are seeking a good finish this season now have 31 points from nine wins, four draws and six losses.

Coach Tom Olal said they are eyeing a top five finish which is still within their reach. “Our main objective this season is a good finish which we can build on next season.

A top five finish is still achievable but it all depends on our performance in the remaining matches,” Olal said.

The winners dominated the match from the onset, pinning the Vultures in their own half, but their efforts to score were thwarted by Vultures defence. USIU-A enjoyed good possession thanks to Neville Mulupi’s control of the midfield.

They would have taken an early lead but Polycarp Otieno’s effort was cleared by Vultures keeper Dennis Barasa in the fifth minute.

After Otieno’s failed attempt, the match gained momentum with Vultures’ Vincent Owago and Brian Onyango pressing deep into USIU-A’s half .

Kennedy Nyongesa put Kenya’s first choice goalkeeper Linus Sang to the test in the 11th minute but he cleared the ball with ease. Despite their dominance, USIU-A were blunt in finishing and failed to convert their efforts into goals ending the first quarter on a barren draw.

Kiplimo converted a penalty corner three minutes into the second period scoring the only goal of the match.

In other matches, Greensharks drubbed Parkroad Badgers 2-0 to reduce the gap between them and league leaders Kenya Police to 12 points while Wazalendo moved to the top three following their 2-1 win over Parklands.  

In the men’s National League, Wazalendo Masters beat visiting Mvita XI from Mombasa 3-2 to put their points tally at 29 and remain in control of Group A. Fidhelis Kimanzi bagged a brace while James Mwangi scored one goal for Masters. [By Elizabeth Mburugu]