Hockey: Flying start for Orange in Africa Cup

Orange captain Betsy Omalla9lL) and USIU player Racheal Wangui fight for the ball when they played Women League with Strathmore at Citypark. Orange scored 2-0. ON 01/11/14 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Champions Orange Telkom began their African hockey Cup of Club championships title campaign on a high, trouncing Shams of Egypt 7-0 at the Khumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, yesterday. The African Queens dominated the entire match, forcing the Egyptians to play in their own half for the entire match.

Orange goalkeeper, Cynthia Akinyi, was on ‘holiday’ in goal as the Pharaohs failed to break the Kenyan defence. However, the Egyptians will have their goalkeeper Taher Hadeer to thank.

She undoubtedly deserved the player of the match award for being superb, saving them from conceding many goals.

Orange coach Jos Openda told FeverPitch the team will work on the wasted chances going into their next encounter. The Kenyan girls will take on hosts Bulawayo Athletics Club in their Pool A match tomorrow.

Two minutes into the game, Lilian Aura’s shot went on top of the goal. Their efforts paid off in the 19th minute through a penalty corner pushed by Barbatra Simiyu to Terry Juma, who stopped and converted to put the champions in the lead.

Openda brought in in Hellen Chemtai for Margret Rotich in the 16th minute and it paid off as Chemtai beat Shams defense to make it two in the 21st minute.

Aura, who had missed chances, gave Orange a 3-0 advantage in the 31st minute. Captain Betsy Omala sent the ball home from a penalty corner in the 43rd minute, Barbara Simiyu converted another short corner six minutes later.