Jaguars face champions Butali Warriors in Western

Butali Sugar's Francis Kariuki and Bethuel Wanyonyi of Western Jaguar during Africa Cup for Men's and Women's club's champion at Sikh Union. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Last season's second runners up Western Jaguars will kick off their 2023 Kenya Hockey Union men's Premier League campaign Saturday with a tough match against defending champions Butali Sugar Warriors at Eregi Teachers College in Kakamega County.

Jaguars, who finished second behind Police in just concluded Vaisakhi International Tournament will be hoping to end Butali's unbeaten start to the new campaign.

Butali lead the standings with seven points from three matches after winning two and drawing one. Sikh Union and Sailors are joint second with six points from four matches but Sikh have a superior goal difference.

The sugar men saw off Greensharks 4-1 in their season opener before edging off newly promoted Sikh Union 3-1.

The champions however had to rally to secure a point against Wazalendo after a 1-1 draw last month.

The two sides played out to tough stalemates last season (0-0 in first leg and 2-2 in return leg), results that leave the encounter open.

In Nairobi, newbies Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCAU) will also kick-off their campaign with a date against 2016 champions Strathmore University Gladiators at the City Park Hockey Stadium.

KCA are making a comeback to the top-tier after they were promoted from the Super League at the end of last season with Sikh Union. On Sunday, they will play their second match against winless Greensharks.

In the women's Premier League matches, champions Strathmore Scorpions have a date with Kenyatta a University(KU) Titans while former champions Blazers will take on Dutch Flower Group Wolverines. Blazers will then play KU on Sunday.

Scorpions lead the standings with eight points from five matches, while Lakers and Amira Sailors are joint second with four points from two matches.

Saturday KHU Premier League fixtures

Strathmore Scoprions v Kenyatta University-12pm

University of Eldoret v Nakuru -1pm

Wolverines v Blazers-2pm

Butali v Jaguars-2pm

Strathmore Gladiators v KCAU-4pm

Greensharks v Sikh Union-6pm