Hockey: No one does it better than Orange Telkom, is there?

Terry Juma [left] of Telkom Orange out--runs Maureen Odero of Nairobi University during 5th Agnelo de Souza hockey festival tournament played at Goan institute in Mombasa. 19th October 2014. Picture by Omondi Onyango

Africa Hockey Women’s Cup of Club championships defending champions Orange Telkom defeated Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) 2-1 to cruise to the finals at Khumalo Stadium in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

They are now a match away from retaining the title they have held since 2012, when they won it at the same venue. Only hosts Bulawayo Athletics Club (BAC) stand in their way.

Hosts BAC denied Kenyans what could have been a perfect sister-act in the final, after they defeated Strathmore 2-1 in the second semi.

The Kenyan girls remain unbeaten in the tournament and have scored 25 goals and conceded two.

Head coach Jos Openda lauded his players saying they were getting better by the day. “I am impressed with their work.

They have been improving with each match and I am confident they will even play better in the finals.”

Openda added that much work had been done already and all they needed was victory in the finals to achieve their main objective.

“We have come a long way, fought a good fight and all we need is a win to maintain the status quo.

The trophy is now within reach and we cannot let it go that easily.”

The match began with much pace from the first minute with both teams playing on the offensive and defending in equal measure.

Barbara Simiyu sounded the boards after four minutes, when she converted a penalty corner to give Orange an early lead.

Ghanaian lethal striker Elizabeth Opuku ensured parity seven minutes later after she scored a fantastic field goal thanks to a priceless pass from vice captain Gertrude Inkoom.

Veteran Jacqueline Mwangi, who has been gaining her form with every match, put the reigning queens two up in the 16th minute.

Opuku threatened the Kenyan defense again in the 18th minute, but international Terry Juma was up to task and keept the Ghanaian at bay.