Butali, Wazalendo record wins as KHU leagues gather pace
By Amos Abuga, September 18, 2019
Champions Butali Warriors and Wazalendo registered wins as the fight for the Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League title intensified at City Park Stadium last weekend.
Goals from Constant Wakhura and Zack Aura are all Butali Warriors needed to edge United States International University-Africa (USIU-A) 2-0 to return to the summit after their lead had been briefly snatched by Wazalendo, who defeated Sailors 4-1, on Saturday.
For Butali, the goals came through penalty corners in the 19th and 50th minutes to extend their unbeaten run, taking them to 27 points from 11 matches. Butali now have eight wins and three draws.
For Wazalendo, Danston Barasa recorded a brace in the victory that saw his side move to 26 points from 13 matches. Wazalendo have eight wins, two draws and three losses.
Sailors, with 14 points and USIU-A on 13, are sixth and seventh respectively on the 10-team standings.
“This encounter is usually very tricky. Remember, that was one of the fixtures we dropped points in from the first leg after a 3-3 draw. We defended well buoyed by taking the chances we created,” said Butali coach Dennis Owoka.
Meanwhile, USIU Spartans edged Sliders 1-0 in the only women’s topflight match of the weekend to move to second on the table with 17 points, nine behind leaders Telkom.
USIU had beaten the former champions 2-0 in the first leg.