Makokha lifts Kenya over Namibia in Olympics qualifier

United States International University-Africa’s (USIU-Africa) Grace Makokha scored the only goal as the national women’s hockey team commenced their Africa qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games on a winning note against Namibia at the Stellenbosch University, Western Cape in South Africa yesterday.

The midfielder finished off a swift counter attack with the final hit of the match in which Kenya, christened Tausi, failed to sparkle. Despite the win, Tom Olal’ s youthful side were woeful in their passing and will have to re-strategise ahead of their next match against Ghana today if they are to make it two straight victories.

Strathmore University Scorpions’ Gilly Okumu and Tracy Karanja in attack as well Lilian Aura (midfield), Caroline Guchu (midfield) and Flavia Mutiva (defence) all from Telkom, are the only notable experienced players in the team that left the country on Saturday, a trip that looked unlikely owing to lack of funds from the government.

The women’s team won bronze in the 2015 qualifiers in the road to Rio Olympics after defeating Ghana 4-3 in the championships won by South Africa, who beat Egypt 4-2 in the final.

Meshack Senge’s men’s team were scheduled to play Ghana in their opening match last evening before taking on Egypt today.

Kenya’s men’s team also finished third in the last qualifiers after beating and will be hoping to qualify for the Olympics for the first time since the 1988 Seoul Games.