Omaido strike settles Telkom-USIU thriller

Audrey Omaido’s ninth minute goal was all champions Telkom needed to edge out a compact United States International University-Africa (USIU-A) side in their women’s Kenya Hockey Union Premier League duel at City Park Stadium on Saturday.

The victory saw Jos Openda’s charges stretch their league’s lead to six points, having amassed 21 points from seven matches as the second leg of the league got underway.

It was USIU-A’s third defeat of the season as they stayed third with 10 points from three wins and a draw.

Both sides wasted a myriad of chances, but USIU-A could have easily turned tables on the champions and put away the match but lacked creativity in Telkom’s 25 yards.

Telkom went on attack early on with Omaido wasting no chance to sound the board after being put through by Maureen Okumu early on.

USIU-A, who finished second in the league last season, dominated the second quarter with Rhoda Kuira proving a thriller with the stick on the right wing.

However, her efforts were all in vain with no good connection from Veronica Williams, who missed several chances.

Telkom would turn on the style in the third quarter but met a formidable USIU-A’s defence marshalled by Phanice Teka and skipper Beatrice Mbugua to keep away veterans Jacky Mwangi and Glen Namasake at bay.

At one time, Omaido tore from the right flank but Mwangi, who was alone with the keeper to beat blasted wide the yawning goal. Flavian Amutiva also had a chance to stretch Telkom’s lead in the last quarter but her screaming shot went wide.

Perez Akinyi also wasted a golden opportunity to level for USIU-A after fumbling with the ball on the right corner of the goal. Instead of sticking it in, Akinyi opted to play the ball back to the field where the flat-footed Telkom defenders cleared.

“We simply played badly and missed many scoring chances. A clinical opponent could have punished us easily but in the end we won,” said Openda, who warned his charges to up their game. “Yes, we had key injuries but that is not an excuse for a poor display.”

'LACKED CREATIVITY'

USIU-A coach Willis “Awilo" Okeyo rued the missed opportunities but hailed his charges for a good display. “I will not take it away from the girls, they played well but missed the opportunity to nail Telkom,” said Okeyo. “We lacked creativity inside the 25 yards but we shall sharpen that.”

Meanwhile, two matches are on card in men’s Premier League on Sunday with the clash between former champions Nairobi Simba Union and Strathmore University's Gladiators the highlight.

Strathmore will be hoping for a repeat performance after they rallied from behind to beat Simba 5-4 in the first leg.

Strathmore are placed fifth with 16 points from 10 matches of five wins, four losses and a draw while Simba are seventh with 12 points drawn from 11 outings of four wins, a draw and six losses