Kisumu Lakers, Western Jaguars book Africa Cup for Club Champions finals
Hockey
By
Washington Onyango
| Nov 25, 2023
Lakers Hockey Club and Western Jaguars are in the 2023 Africa Cup for Club Champions (ACCC) finals.
Lakers from Kisumu will face off against defending champions Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the finals set for Sunday from 2pm East African Time while Jaguars renew rivalry with Sharkia from Egypt in the finals as curtains come down in Blantyre, Malawi.
Lakers booked a spot in the women's finals after seeing off Delta Queens from Nigeria 2-0 to finish second in the round-robin tournament as preliminary matches ended on Saturday.
Reigning KHU Premier League MVP Aurelia Opondo gave Lakers the lead in the 10th minute of the first quarter before Pauline Ochieng sealed the win for the Kisumu-based outfit in the 38th minute.
The win saw Lakers solidify their second spot with 14 points, two points behind leader and defending champions GRA.
GRA thrashed Scorpions from Malawi 15-0 to finish top and they will now renew their rivalry with Lakers in today's finals.
On Tuesday, Lakers drew 2-2 with GRA during the preliminary matches, a draw they must now turn to win if they are to win their maiden African hockey title.
Kenya's other representatives Blazers Hockey Club settled for third in the standings despite hammering Capital Braves 12-0. Blazer will play Delta Queens in the third place playoffs in what will be a reapeat of their Thursday's 0-0 draw.
In the men's category, Western Jaguars came from 2-0 down at half time to force a 2-2 draw with defending champions Sharkia.
Captain Mesakan Hossam gave the Egyptians a second minute lead before Ali Hamada converted a penalty corner in the 22nd minute for a 2-0 half time lead.
However, Jaguars pulled a goal back through Edison Ndombi in the 39th minute before Emannuel Wiswa secured Jaguar's the crucial point that took them to the finals.