Hockey: Kenyan men falter as hunt for continental glory begins
Hockey
By
Elizabeth Mburugu
| Oct 23, 2017
Kenya’s men national hockey team launched their quest for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-0 loss to Ghana yesterday at the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt.
Goals from Luke Damalie, Elikem Akaba and Michael Akuamoah were enough to give Ghana a well-deserved win. With the continental cup and a ticket to the 2018 World Cup at stake, Ghana fought to gain dominance over the Kenyans and called the shots from the onset.
Their efforts paid off after four minutes of play as Damalie outwitted the Kenyan defence to blast past goalkeeper Linus Sang.
The early goal awakened the Kenyans who swung into action in hunt of an equaliser but could not break the Ghanaian defence. Despite Kenya’s intensified search for a goal, it was Ghana who looked stronger and likely to extend their lead before the end of the first quarter as Ernest Opoku and Samuel Afari combined to set up George Asiedu, whose shot was cleared by Sang.
The West Africans added their second at the beginning of the second quarter when as Akaba got behind the Kenyan defence to tap in Opoku’s well delivered pass in the 33rd minute. Kenya lacked any ideas going upfront and forwards George Mutira and Amos Barkibir, who had started on bench, struggled to impose themselves in the match.
Kenya failed to successfully convert any of the four short corners in the match as their opponents cleared their attempts with ease.
Ghana were home and dry in the 45th minute as they put the game beyond Kenya when Akuamoh-Boateng finished off Stephen Asamoah’s penalty corner. Kenya, who were looking to avenge last year’s 1-0 loss during the World League One Series, faded in the final quarter and Ghana comfortably secured victory.
Kenya face an acid test today when they take on hosts Egypt in a must-win tie on Day Two of the competition.
National team coach Meshack Senge preferred to start Festus Onyango Strathmore University Gladiators and Mutira of Chase Sailors upfront over Barkibir, who has been brilliant for his club, Kenya Police.
Kennedy Munialo also made his debut for the national team as Willis Okeyo was named skipper, with Maxwell Fuchaka, of Butali Sugar Warriors, starting on the bench. [Elizabeth Mburugu]