Hockey: Champions Butali in perfect start as going gets tough for promoted Sailors

Photo [Courtesy]

Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League champions Butali Warriors got their title defence campaign underway with a 2-0 win over top tier returnees Sailors at the weekend.

It was a dream start for former Kenya Police forward Calvins Kanu, who scored on his debut with the sugar millers at City Park.

Once again, it was a bad day in office for Sailors, who were promoted to the Premier League after winning the Super League title last season.

In another Premier League encounter, Wazalendo hit Greensharks 3-0 to begin their campaign on a high.

After being promoted to play top-flight hockey, Sailors were given a rude welcome to the top tier after losing 3-0 to United States International University of Africa in their league opener.

Evergreen Frank Wanangwe put Warriors in the lead 11 minutes into play, giving them a 1-0 advantage by the break of the first quarter.

Not ready to go down without a proper fight, Sailors tightened their defence to contain Warriors’ quartet of last season’s top scorer George Mutira, Wanangwe, Amos Barkibir, who was on a mission to prove his worth having shifted allegiance from Police to Warriors and Kanu.

Both sides failed to utilise several goal-scoring opportunities as Warriors held on to their 1-0 lead into the third quarter.  

Kanu finally got it right in the 42nd minute when he beat the Sailors defence and goalkeeper Collins Asimba to bag maximum points.

Warriors captain Kenneth Nyongesa was delighted after the victory, saying it was a good start.

“Earning three points in the first match of the season is not an easy task but I’m glad we pulled through. Our aim is to retain the title and I believe we will get better in all aspects of the game as the season progresses,” Nyongesa said.

Women’s Premier League champions Telkom, who began the season on an unusual note after dropping two points in a barren draw against Amira Sailors, secured three points without lifting a hockey stick.

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) failed to honour their weekend fixture gifting Telkom five goals and three points.

Telkom now top the table with four points, one more than Strathmore University Scorpions while Sailors, Titans, and Sliders are third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Sliders were held to a barren draw by Kenyatta University Titans.

Kisumu Youngsters top the men’s Super League standings with six points from to matches.

Youngsters thrashed Dedan Kimathi University 5-0 in their second league tie.

Technical University of Kenya and Parkroad Badgers are second and third tied on six points with Youngsters but with an inferior goal difference.

Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCAU) chalked their first win after beating Multimedia University 5-1 while Mvita XI won Mombasa derby having defeated Mombasa Sports Club 3-1.