Kenyans cornered in Egypt: Fourth-place finishes sum up local teams' disastrous continental outing

Orange Telkom Audrey Omaido(l) with the ball as Nigeria Kada Queens Edna Ememeruria blocks when they played Africa Cup Championship at City Park yesterda, on 07/01/2017 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Men and women team fail to shine in 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

National men and women hockey teams lost their third-place playoff matches to finish fourth on the final day of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations at the Suez Canal Hockey Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt.

The Kenyan men lost 3-5 to Ghana while their women counterparts lost 1-2 in a penalty shootout to Nigeria after the duel ended in a 3-3 draw in regular time. This was Kenya’s worst performance in years.

Despite scoring first, the Kenyan men failed to hold onto their lead. This was Kenya’s second loss to the West Africans in this championships, having lost 3-0 in their opening match.

Kenya’s Constant Wakhura scored from the spot after Kenya were awarded a penalty in the 17th minute.

However, their lead was short-lived as Francis Tettey converted a short corner to equalise. Kenya’s trouble began with the substitution of first choice goalkeeper Linus Sang, who paved way for Allan Agesa in the 20th minute.

The Ghanaians never allowed Agesa time to settle and in one minute, he conceded two goals as Elikem Akaba doubled the scores moments later.

Akaba scored a brace while Luke Damalie and Emmanuel Ankomah scored one goal each. Festus Onyango and Kennedy Munialo netted for Kenya.

In the women’s contest, Nigeria beat Kenya once again when it mattered most thanks to their goalkeeper Ine Oghenekome, who saved four shots to gift her side a bronze medal.

In regular time, Florence Uwuoezi outwitted Kenyan defence to give Nigeria a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute. Four minutes later, Telkom’s Maureen Okumu restored parity for both sides as they headed for the break level.

United States International University of Africa’s Sandra Vodoti gave Kenya a 2-1 lead in the 39th minute but a lapse in the backline saw Eleho Ovo equalise one minute to the end of the third quarter.

Ovo’s goal rejuvenated the Nigerians who were seeking to avenge their 1-0 loss to the Kenyans in the preliminaries.

The West Africans intensified their hunt for another goal and their efforts came to fruition in the first minute of the final quarter through Benedicta Johnson’s goal.

Strathmore University's Yvonne converted a penalty corner in the 52nd minute to level matters 3-3.

Captain Lilian Aura, Audrey Omaido, Karanja and Pauline Naise missed their shots.