Kenya Police win Astroturf tourney title at Sikh Union as India's SAI lift women crown

The Kenya Police Hockey team. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya Police are the Nairobi Sikh Union Astroturf Inauguration Tournament champions.

The law enforcers were crowned yesterday as curtains fell on the week-long event following the 1-0 win over visiting Sports Authority of India (SAI) at the club’s newly inaugurated Astro turf.

Govan Mbaki struck in the 50th to give the homeboys victory subjecting the SAI to their only defeat of the tournament. 

SAI beat Sikh Union, United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) and Greensharks during the showpiece. But they were unable to break police defence in the finals.

In women’s contest, unbeaten SAI ladies edged out Telkom 1-0 to win the crown. Bhavani Madugula’s 29th-minute goal was enough to stop the Kenyans. 

In the semis, SAI thrashed Greensharks 4-0 while Police dismissed hosts Sikh Union 2-1. Sharks finished third after beating Sikh Union 3-2 in a penalty shootout. 

The two sides had played to a 1-1 draw in regular time to set the stage for the tiebreaker.

Daniel Obunyasi put Sharks in the lead six minutes into play but Harvir Gathaurae restored parity 12 minutes later.

The two sides failed to break the opponent’s defence despite creating several scoring chances in the second half.

Sharks goalkeeper Alexander Muge was superb stopping Haggai Pepela, Gathaurae and Francis Esikuri’s shots with only Collins Asilwa and Allan Iningu outsmarting him to score.

Samuel Namonyo, John Wachira and Samuel Mucheke beat Sikh Union goalie Richard Wagema while he stopped Chris Wokila and Victor Osiche.

United States International University of Africa's Spartans beat Oranje Leonas 3-0  to register their only win of the tournament.

The victory saw the students finish third while the development side finished fourth. Grace Makokha, Naomi Kemunto and Stacy Tumaini were on target for Spartans.