National hockey teams ready for Africa action Nations
By Amos.Abuga, January 3, 2022
Kenya Hockey Union president Nahashon Randiek is confident the national hockey teams will perform well despite the Ministry of Sports requesting them to trim their squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (ACN 2022) set to run from January 17 to 23 in Accra, Ghana.
The move comes even as the domestic league remains inactive for over two years with clubs failing to restart matches despite the government lifting the ban on sporting activities that had been introduced to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Trim squad
Randiek said a smaller travelling group would fit into its budget for the continental championship.
“We are preparing with the budget in mind. Most likely we’ll have to reduce the travelling team in the technical bench to fit the ministry’s request. We’ll continue to discuss with them,” Randiek said.
Randiek said the Kenyan team could be handicapped by fatigue if only a few players are available for selection, adding they have to train harder given league matches have not been played for close to two years.
The ladies side coached by former Blazers Hockey Club striker Jackie Mwangi will start their campaign against Zambia on January 17.
They will then play Ghana the following day before wrapping up their preliminary round with a fixture against Nigeria on January 20.
The top two nations from each group will proceed to the semifinals.
The men’s team has been drawn in Group A alongside defending champions South Africa and Namibia.
Kenya, led by Fedhils Kimanzi, will begin their title hunt against Namibia on January 18 before they battle South Africa the following day.
Men’s Group B has 2017 runners up Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda
The winners of the tournament will qualify for the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup.
The 11th edition of the men’s competition will see only seven countries participate while eight teams will represent their countries in the eighth edition for women.
Kenya men who lost 4-1 to Egyptians to claim fourth position during the 2017 tournament, together with the women’s team, are currently training at the City Park hockey stadium in Nairobi.