Hunt for Nairobi Cup: Orange seek antidote for Scorpions venom

Linda Ayondi of Strathmore University Scorpions (left) challenges Telkom Ann Juma during their Nairobi Cup hockey tournament at the City Park on Sunday. [PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE/STANDARD]

There will be no love lost when rivals Strathmore University’s Scorpions take on Orange Telkom A in the finals of the Nairobi cup tournament currently on at City Park.

Orange A beat their other side Orange B 3-1 to cruise to the finals. Jacqueline Jow, Caroline Guchu and Margret Rotich scored a goal each to send the senior side to the finals.

Strathmore Scorpions are still in the run for the top prize following their narrow 1-0 victory over United States International University in the women’s second semi-finals match. Gilly Okumu scored the all important goal for the scorpions.

Nelson Shiraku sent Wazalendo to the men’s finals with his loan goal enough to beat Strathmore University’s Gladiators 1-0. They will play the winner of the match pitting Kenya Police B against Greensharks. In earlier matches, Scorpions stung Orange Telkom B twice to better their chances of lifting the inaugural Nairobi Cup trophy in a fast-paced encounter played yesterday at City Park.

Scorpions’ lethal striker Gilly Okumu scored a brace to see her team move on top of the women’s pool ‘B’ table on six points.

Okumu told FeverPitch that the win ensured them a semi-final slot but added that they will not let the win against Orange get into their heads and will treat their next matches with the seriousness it deserves.

“This win has secured us a semis spot, but we will not be over confident because we still have a long way to go and the competition will get tougher as we get closer to winning the title,” Okumu said.

Okumu opened the scores in the 13th minute, sending the ball home past Orange goalkeeper Ruth Njoki.

Orange failed to capitalise on their open chances after missing  a couple of penalty corners. Orange defence let Okumu on the loose in the circle and she punished them with the second goal in the 19th minute.

Stopping balls

She was also quick to point out the weaknesses in the team, which she promised to work on with a view to improving in the next match.

“We were not good in stopping the balls and also we failed in deflections, we will work on this   going into our next encounter,” the former Sinyolo Girls High School student told FeverPitch after the game on Sunday.

In other results Telkom ‘A’ thrashed Sparrows 6-0 in their women’s pool ‘A’ encounter, while Sliders edged out Jomo Kenyatta Universtiy of Technology and Agriculture (JKUAT) ladies by a solitary goal.

Moi Girls Nairobi lost 3-1 to United States International University Spartans.

USIU grabbed their second win after beating Nairobi Sparrows 2-0.

Kenya Police ‘A’ trounced Karate Axiom 2-0 in their men’s pool ‘A’ encounter. Police were later to be held  to a barren draw by Parkroad Tigers who later earned their    first victory against JKUAT after a 1-0 win. — [email protected]