National women’s hockey team head coach Jacky Mwangi is confident Kenya will perform well in the upcoming 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (ACN) after naming her 19-member squad set to represent the country next week in Ghana.
Both men and women’s continental tournaments are set to run concurrently in Accra, Ghana from January 17-23.
Speaking to the Standard Sports, Mwangi expressed her confidence in the young players she selected ahead of the continental hockey showpiece.
“We have a strong squad of 19 players consisting of a blend of youth and experience. We have been in camp for the past weeks and I am thrilled at the level of competition we as the technical bench saw,” said the coach.
“The old guards will definitely mentor the young turks who bring energy and adrenaline to our game plans. We will definitely be rotating the squad in future events since we have a large squad of 25 players to pick from which is healthy for the team.”
Kenya has been pooled in Group B where they will battle hosts Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia.
According to the fixtures released by the African Hockey Federation, the ladies side led by former Blazers Hockey Club striker Mwangi will open their account against Zambia on January 17th.
They will play Ghana the following day before finishing their pool matches with a match against Nigeria on January 20th.
The top two nations from each group will proceed to the semifinals.
The winners of the tournament will qualify for the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup.
In the squad, Mwangi selected five Lakers Hockey Club players including Vivian Onyango, Aurelia Opondo, Maureen Owiti, Millicent Adhiambo and Alice Owiti.
The team will be captained by Rhoda Kuira who will marshal veterans including Leah Omwandho, Maureen Okumu, Flavia Mutiva and Naom Kemunto.
GOALKEEPERS-Fiona MAKENA, Milly ADHIAMBO
DEFENDERS-Lynn MWANGI, Beatrice MBUGUA, Vivian ONYANGO, Beverly AKOTH, Flavia MUTIVA
MIDFIELDERS-Naom KEMUNTO, Moureen OWITI, Maureen OKUMU, Grace AKUMU, Leah OMWANDHO, Tamunai KIPSANG, Jeriah NYANCHAMAH,
FORWARDS-Grace BWIRE, Alice OWITI, Rhoda KUIRA, Chebet ELEANOR, Aurelia OPONDO
COACH: BARBARA SIMIYU
HEAD COACH: JACQULINE MWANGI
TEAM MANAGER: GLENNIS NAMASAKE