Huge wins for Wazalendo, Sharks in men’s league

Wazalendo and Greensharks registered wins as the second leg of the Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League got underway at the City Park Stadium at the weekend.

Sharks defeated Parklands 3-1 on Saturday to move to third on the log with 19 points before Fidelis Kimanzi’s Wazalendo thrashed Sikh Union 3-0 to consolidate their second place on the log with 20 points from 10 matches on Sunday. 

A first-half strike from Nelson Shilaku added onto Joseph Kaswa and Eric Otieno’s second-half goals were all on-form Wazalendo needed to record victory, a week after defeating former champions Kenya Police 2-1.

“The boys played very well by being solid at the back while getting crucial goals. If you look at our team, we have not been keeping clean sheets lately, so that is how significant the team is,” said Kimanzi, whose team faces United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) tomorrow.

“We have to work hard for a different ball game against USIU. I know it will not be an easy match since they play very well but we have to keep the pace with the leaders,” added Kimanzi.

In the women’s Premier League, champions Telkom beat Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) 4-0.

A first-half goal from Jackie Mwangi and second-half strikes from midfielders Barbara Simiyu, Audrey Omaido and Lilian Aura were all the champions needed for the comfortable win.

Telkom, on 24 points, has now opened a 12-point lead over second-placed USIU-Africa.

Meanwhile, Kenyatta University Titans lost 1-0 to Sliders, an early goal from Charity Miller making the difference.

Elsewhere, Impala defeated Parkroad 2-1 in a Masters League whose objective is to bring back former hockey players to the sport and also provide an avenue of transition for ageing players.

The immediate incentive for the Masters League is the target for Kenya to participate in the O45 Masters World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa in September 2020.