Hockey: Wazalendo knocked out of Africa Cup in Ghana

Wazalendo Hockey Club attacking midfielder Danstone Wabwire. PHOTO COURTESY

Kenya’s Wazalendo Hockey Club are out of the 2021 Africa Cup for Clubs Championship.

Wazalendo’s hopes of progressing to the knock out stages of continental games were on Thursday blown away after a 1-0 defeat to hosts Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in a match played at the Theodosia Stadium in Accra, Ghana.

The East African side had on Wednesday lost 2-1 to Egyptian side Zamalek and with Thursday result, Wazalendo remained bottom in Pool 'B' without a win.

Arthur Ebenezer scored the lone goal for GRA in the second quarter to dim Kenyans hopes.

The 2019 Kenya Hockey Union Premier League runners up will play the last pool match on Saturday against Tairat ahead of classification matches which kick off Sunday.

Zamalek were set to play Tairat later Thursday to determine who tops the pool after both teams won their ties against Wazalendo and GRA on Wednesday.

“Losing a game is never a good feeling. We are not feeling good about it but there are a lot of positives to take home from that game, which is going to be very important for what we are trying to build as a club,” said Wazalendo assistant coach Ndungu Njogu.

Wazalendo qualified for the annual event after finishing second behind champions Butali Sugar Warriors during the 2019 Kenya Hockey Union Premier League.

Butali did not confirm participation due to financial constraints.

Blazers and United States of International University of Africa(USIUA) who finished in the top two positions in the 2019 women's KHU Premier League also missed the annual event due to financial constraints.