DAYSTAR DIMMED: Champs Orange teach students hockey lesson in league tie

Champions Telkom Orange gave Daystar University a lesson in hockey with a 16-0 beating in a Kenya Hockey Union women’s league match played yesterday at City Park Stadium.

Veteran Jackline Mwangi proved that she is still good in what she does by scoring five goals as the 18-time champions recorded the highest score of the season.

The win saw Orange snatch the top spot from Strathmore Scorpions with three matches left this season.

Perhaps inspired by the return of coach Jos Openda who has been the driving force behind their success for over 18 years, the national queens dominated the match from the onset.

Fast-rising Maureen Okumu and Lilian Aura bagged a hat-trick each while Hellen Chemtai and Flavia Mutiva netted a brace each whereas Barbara Simiyu added a goal to the tally.

Openda, who returned after a long absence told Feverpitch his charges were playing well and adapting to the new system of play as they prepare to defend the African title.

“They played well today compared to the previous match. I am glad they are adapting to the new system of play I introduced recently because that is how I want them to play at the club championships,’’ Openda said.

He added that there is still room for improvement. “We have to defend the national title also and that can only be done if we keep winning convincingly.

In regard to the Africa title, we still have time to prepare well and I believe both titles are within our reach,’’ he said.

Maureen Okumu, an alumnus of East Africa and national champions Sinyolo Girls announced Orange’s intended win two minutes into play leaving Daystar goalie Esther Nyambura shocked.

Before Nyambura could put her house in order, Simiyu struck to make it two in the seventh minute.

Daystar struggled to keep up with the pace and steady attacks from Orange and conceded one goal after the other with no hopes of settling in the game. Okumu, Aura and Mwangi struck twice each to give Orange a 7-0 lead by the quarter-hour mark.

Chemtai added the eighth in the 31st minute to give the champions an 8-0 lead at the breather.

Orange were at it again in the second half doubling their score through Mutiva in the 40th and 66th minutes. Aura found the back of the net in the 47th minute while Mwangi scored three in the 48th, 59th and 68th.

Chemtai and Okumu completed their braces in the 55th and 65th minutes.

Alice Wanjiru, a third choice goalkeeper got her chance to start for the champions but was not tested as Daystar did not make any threats at Orange’s goal.

Together with Wanjiru Lucy Lichuma, Diane Barbwire and Fanice Olunga also made their debuts for Orange.

In another encounter at the same venue, Sliders played to a 1-1 draw against Vikings.