There's no letting go as USIU-A Mashujaa stare at league victory

CaptionUSIU A’s Joseph Baraka (15) attack a corner kick during the Kenya Hockey Premier League men match against Sailors at City Park Hockey stadium on Sunday, July 9, 2023. [File, Standard]

United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Mashujaa leaped to the top of the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men’s Premier League table following their resounding 6-1 win against former champions Butali Warriors at the weekend.

The students, who are eying their maiden league title, top the table with 19 points, one more than Warriors whose perfect run was ended by Mashujaa.

USIU-A have, however, played eight matches winning six, drawing one and losing one. Butali on the other hand have one match at hand having won six and lost one.

Mashujaa, who recruited three players from high school among them former St Anthony’s Boys High School Kitale captain Linton Nayombe to beef up the squad for the season, are in great form.

Coach John Kabuu revealed that Nayombe, who is a regular in the starting 11 and the other players, are part of the team’s bigger plans.

“I am a firm believer in building for the future. We didn’t go big on recruitment but brought in quality players. The boy is good (Nayombe) and he will definitely be a strong pillar for the team in coming seasons,” Kabuu said.

Defending champions Western Jaguars were top gainers at the weekend after bagging maximum points from their Nairobi trip to move to fifth place. They had a fruitful outing thrashing newbies Daikyo Heroes 6-1 then edging out Parklands Sports Club 2-1 to register their third win of the season. They are fifth with 10 points from five matches having won three, drawn one and lost one.

Wazalendo Hockey Club, who were not in action this weekend, are third with 12 points, while Nairobi Sikh Union are fourth with 11. Former champions Kenya Police, who have been blowing hot and cold, have 10 points.

The law enforcers have only won two out of their eight matches and are likely to end the first leg below the top five.

They have dropped 14 points out of the possible 24 and the best they can achieve in the first leg is a dismal 13 points if they win their remaining tie against Jaguars.

There were no major changes in the women’s title race as titleholders Blazers Hockey Club maintained the top spot despite a lackluster show that saw them drop four points.

Though they remain unbeaten, they have 18 points from eight matches having won five and drawn three. Premier League debutants Kisumu Queens are second tied on 14 points.