Kenya sides off to Egypt for Nations Cup

Kenya men and women’s hockey teams depart the country Friday night for Ismailia, Egypt ahead of the 11th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The continental showpiece begins on Sunday.

The teams, made up of 18 players each, will fly aboard the Emirates Airline from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 10.45pm and are scheduled to land in Dubai where they will take the connecting flight to Ismailia.

The week-long continental showpiece will also act as a 2018 World Cup qualifier with the winners of the men and women’s competition representing the continent in next year’s World Cup in India and UK respectively.

Six nations, among them, champions South Africa, Kenya,  Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia and the hosts will do battle at the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium.

With South Africa women’s team already qualified for the World Cup after finishing fifth during the World League Series in August, it means that one of the five countries have a shot at making it to next year’s World Cup.

KENYA HOT FAVOURITES

Ghana and Kenya are favourites to clinch the slot.

The women’s coach Wilson Otieno believes the country has a golden chance to make it to their maiden World Cup.

“We have a real shot of finally making it to the global stage and we have fate in our own hands. The team is in high spirits and they are fired up to get going,” said the former international, who took over from Nixon Nyangaga early this year.

Otieno’s team has one debutant, Strathmore Scorpions defender Jane Muragu.

Telkom’s Lilian Aura will captain the side with hockey-cum-footballer Pauline Naise making a return to the side after a three-year absence.

The men’s team, under coach Meshack Senge, on other hand face a tall order with champions South Africa seeking the continental ticket to reach the World Cup.

SENGE OPTIMISTIC

Senge is optimistic his charges can defy all odds and reach their third World Cup after appearances in 1971 and 1973.

“We have been here before, our biggest challenge will come from Egypt and South Africa but we believe we can beat them,” Senge said. Senge’s side has seven new players. The Kenyan teams won bronze at the last edition held in South Africa in 2015.

Both sides have never won the continental title. The women’s team take on champions South Africa in their opening match on Sunday, while their male counterparts will face Ghana in their first match on the same day.

The top two teams at the end of the round-robin competition will face off in the final.

TEAMS

Women

Goalkeepers: Onyango Cynthia (Telkom), Kerubo Rachel (Amira)

Defenders: Rachel Ousa (Telkom), Mutiva Flavia (Telkom), Muragu Jane (Strathmore), Ngombo Elizabeth (Strathmore), Teresa Juma (Telkom)

Midfielders: Aura Lilian (Telkom) – Captain, Vodoti Sandra  (USIU-A) , Karanja Tracy (Telkom) , Guchu Caroline (Telkom) ,Rachel Wangui (USIU-A) , Karanja Yvonne (Strathmore)

Forwards: Pauline Naise (Amira) , Okumu Maureen (Telkom) , Omaido Audrey(Telkom) , Rhoda Nyambura (USIU-A), Gilly Okumu (Strathmore, assistant captain) - V. Captain

Men

Goalkeepers: Linus Kipkemboi (USIU-A, Allan Agesa (Park Road)

Defenders: Wakhura Constant (Butali), Oungo Samuel Paul (K. Police), Birir Richard (K. Police)

Maxwell Mutahi (Butali, captain)- Captain, Munialo Kennedy (Wazalendo), Masibo Robert Papa ( K. Police)

Midfielders: Okeyo Willis (K. Police - assistant captain), Iningu Allan (Sikh Union), Kariuki Francis (Strathmore), Francis Esikuri (Sikh Union), Echenje Oliver Obala (K. Police), Vincent Odhiambo (Butali)

Forwards: Mutira George (Chase Sailors), Onyango Festus (Strathmore), Wabwire Danstone (MMU), Amos Barkibir (K. Police)