Warriors, Police aim for victories in men’s league

The Kenya Hockey Union leagues resumes this weekend after a two-week break occasioned by the repeat presidential elections and the Africa Cup of Nations.

Bigwigs Kenya Police, Butali Sugar Warriors, Telkom and Amira Sailors will all be in action this weekend, which will see City Park Stadium in Nairobi host eight matches.

Leaders Kenya Police and Telkom will both be looking to extend their leads in men’s and women’s Premier League when they take on Kenya College of Accountancy of University (KCA-U) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) respectively.

Former champions Butali Sugar Warriors, who have not played a match in the second leg, take on second-placed Greensharks Saturday afternoon in the pick of this weekend’s matches.

On Sunday, the lakeside club will take on Nakuru to complete their tour of the capital as they bid to secure maximum points.

Butali’s lack of playing has seen them drop from second to fifth, 16 points behind runaway leaders Kenya Police. They therefore cannot afford to drop any points as they look to claw back the deficit.

TOUGH MATCH

Butali coach Godfrey Wakachunga who took over the team this season has endured a tough season with the Kisumu-based club as they bid to reclaim the title they lost last season.

“We cannot afford any more slip-ups if we want to reclaim the title. We will aim at winning the two matches this weekend,” Wakachunga told Nation Sport. The first leg between the sides ended in a 0-0 stalemate and this afternoon’s encounter could also be closely fought.

Emmanuel Simiyu and Frank Wanangwe will lead the Butali attack as they aim to get their second leg campaign off to a winning start. A win for Sharks will move them to 40 points and will be hoping that KCA-U do them a favour by stopping Police.

“This is a tough match and they will be under pressure because they want to reduce the deficit and challenge for the title,” Sharks coach Ben Owaga said.

STILL UNBEATEN

Police will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the season as they seek to reclaim the title they last won in 2013.

The law enforcers have won 16 out of their 17 matches this season, to establish a 12-point lead at the top. The team will welcome back on-form striker Amos Barkibir, Robert Masibo, Oliver Echenje, Willis Okeyo, Sammy Oungo and Richard Birir from national team duty.

The students will be looking to move clear from the relegation zone.

FIXTURES (All matches at City Park Stadium)

Saturday

Premier Men: Kenya Police v KCA-U (12noon), Kenyatta University Vultures v Titans (2pm), Butali v Greensharks (4pm)

Premier Women: Amira Sailors v Mombasa Sports Club – 6pm

Sunday

Premier Women: Strathmore University v MSC – 9am, Telkom v JKUAT – 1pm

Premier Men: Butali v Nakuru – 11am,  Strathmore v Wazalendo – 3pm