Spluttering Strathmore Gladiators seek redemption against USIU

Champions Strathmore University Gladiators will be hoping to get their campaign back on track when they take on United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) in a Kenya Hockey Union men's Premier League match at the City Park Stadium on Saturday.

The match is one of 10 games on the cards this weekend in Nairobi and Mombasa.

League leaders Kenya Police will be out to extend their lead atop the standings when they host Western Jaguars on Sunday while Butali Sugar Warriors will be aiming to move up the table with a win against 2012 champions Sikh Union Nairobi.

In the women's top flight league, Strathmore University Scorpions will be out to move to second place with a win against Sliders tomorrow while USIU Spartans will be away to bottom-placed Mombasa Sports Club.

POOR RUN

Focus will however be on Strathmore, who have had an indifferent start to the season. The three-time champions have won only once this season, a 2-0 win against Sikh on March 18.

Since then, they have lost twice and drawn two to sit in 10th place on five points, a massive 16 points behind leaders Police.

Meshack Senge knows his charges cannot afford any more slip up and the tactician is looking for a response this weekend.

“We have been ordinary and not played like the champions we are. It is totally unacceptable because we have good players and I fail to understand why we are not winning,” Senge said Friday.

The students lost 3-2 to Kenyatta University Vultures in their last match two weeks ago. Striker Festus Onyango, who hit a brace against KU, should start upfront for Strathmore.

USIU coach Tom Olal is hoping to pile more misery on the champions.

“Their confidence is a bit low now and we must take advantage and try to expose them further. We are ready to go and it should be a great game,” Olal said. USIU are place behind the champions and win will take his side above Senge's team.

For Butali Sugar, victory against a struggling Sikh Union side will see them move to third place. Butali earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over Wazalendo last weekend to move to fifth place with nine points.

“We are hoping to build on last weekend's result. It is the first time in a while that we are playing in two successive weekends and we are hoping for the three points,” Butali coach Godfrey Wakachunga said.

Butali will welcome back utility player Derrick Kuloba who missed the win against Wazalendo due to illness.

Tomorrow, Kenya Police will be aiming to move seven points clear at the top when the confront Jaguars. They have won seven straight matches this season so far.

FIXTURES (All matches at City Park Stadium unless stated)

Saturday

Women's Premier: Vikings v JKUAT (12 noon), Mombasa Sports Club v United States International University-Africa (4 pm, Mombasa)

Men's National: Wazalendo Youth v Youngstars (2pm)

Premier Men: Strathmore University v USIU-A (4pm), Chase Sailors v Western Jaguars (6pm)

Sunday:

Men's Premier: Kenya Police v Western Jaguars (9am) Sikh Union, Nairobi v Butali Sugar Warriors (3pm), Kenya College of Accountancy-University v Technical University of Kenya (5pm)

National Men: Multimedia University v Youngstars (11am)

Women's Premier: Strathmore University v Sliders (1pm)