Orange live dream: Telkom target league title after winning Africa Cup of Clubs

Tracy Nungari and Nicola Watson

Early preparations spurred Orange Telkom to a successful title defence in the just-concluded African hockey Cup of Clubs championships in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

The seven-time champions began their drills shortly after defending their crown early in the year in Kampala, Uganda.

In an interview after being crowned champions in Kampala, Orange head coach Jos Openda had told Feverpitch that there was no time to party and no holiday.

Their efforts paid off as they won their seventh African crown without losing a match. In addition, Cynthia Akinyi won the goalkeeper of the tournament award. Akinyi, who took over from veteran Josephine Ataro, has successfully taken over the role, having earlier won the same award in the International Hockey Federation World League Round One tourney held in Nairobi in September.

Orange began their campaign on a high note with a 7-0 victory against Shams of Egypt. Their second match saw them trounce hosts Bulawayo Athletics Club (BAC) 3-0. They humbled Twende of Tanzania 9-0 and their toughest test at group stage came in Nigerian giants Heartlands who they beat 4-1 in their third pool A match.

They finished on top of pool A, securing a semis slot with arch-rivals Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) where they fought tooth and nail triumphing 2-1 to secure a finals berth. They were crowned champions after routing BAC of Zimbabwe 7-0 in the finals.

BAC had beaten previous tournament silver medalists Strathmore University Scorpions 2-1 in the semis.

Coach Openda said that they will get back to work and strategize on how to defend the title.

"We have achieved our purpose. We will now have the trophy in our cabinet for good. However, it doesn't end there because there will be a new trophy up for grabs in the next event and we want to be the first team to feel it," he said.

Orange will now focus on the league play-offs where they are eyeing their 17th title. Orange will take on Sliders in the women's semi-finals match while Strathmore will lock horns with United States International University of Africa.