Hockey: Wazalendo to face giants Zamalek in Africa Club Championships

Parkroad Jerry Kanan(l) and Western Jaguar Kelvin Machinji fight for the b all when they played premier lLeague Men at Citypark. They scored 1-1.

Kenya’s Wazalendo Hockey Club will face off against Egyptian giants Zamalek after being pooled in a tricky Pool B of the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup for Clubs Championship, which kicks off next week on Wednesday in Ghana.

Wazalendo, who will fly the country’s flag in Accra after Kenya Hockey Union Men’s Premier League champions Butali Warriors pulled out, faces tricky opponents from Egypt and Ghana. Butali pulled out of the competition citing financial constraints.

Wazalendo will play 2018 runners-up Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), newcomers Tairat and Zamalek all from Egypt according to the men’s draws released by African Hockey Federation.

Former champions Eastern Company from Egypt, hosts Ghana Army and Ghana Police, Kada Stars and Police Machine both from Nigeria are in Pool A.

The Kenyan outfit will start their title campaign against Zamalek on November 24, hoping to replicate their 2007 victory against the Egyptians when they defeated them 3-2 in a friendly match.

However, the Fidelis Kimanzi coached side will have to ply an unfamiliar GRA and Tairat in their second and final pool match as they hope to make the knockout rounds.

The top two teams in each pool will proceed to the semi-finals.

Wazalendo finished second in the men’s league behind Butali Warriors  to qualify for the annual event. The team is expected to leave for Ghana on Monday.

In the women’s category, Kenya failed to send any participant after local champions Blazers and United States of International University Africa pulled out citing lack of financial support.