Horror start for Kenya in Ismailia

What you need to know:

  • The national men and women’s hockey teams on Sunday suffered opening day defeats as the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations got underway in Ismailia, Egypt.
  • The men’s team lost 3-0 to Ghana, while their female counterparts were thrashed 5-0 by champions South Africa at the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium.
  • It was a poor start for the teams, which are seeking to win their maiden continental titles, as well as qualifying for next year’s World Cup

The national men and women’s hockey teams on Sunday suffered opening day defeats as the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations got underway in Ismailia, Egypt.

The men’s team lost 3-0 to Ghana, while their female counterparts were thrashed 5-0 by champions South Africa at the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium.

It was a poor start for the teams, which are seeking to win their maiden continental titles, as well as qualifying for next year’s World Cup.

The men’s team were first up in action but were undone by goals from Luke Damalie, Elikem Akaba and Michael Akuamoh-Boateng as Ghana claimed a deserved win and three precious points in the round-robin tourney which is also a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

Ghana, winners of the competition in 1974, needed only four minutes to go ahead after a well worked move.

Damaile weaved past the Kenyan defence before firing past goalkeeper Linus Sang. The goal stung Kenya to action but they lacked the killing touch in their opponents circle.

Kenya lacked any ideas going upfront and forwards George Mutira and Amos Barkibir struggled to impose themselves in the match.

They wasted the four short corners they got in the match as the Ghanaian defence comfortably dealt with them.

“We had a poor start to the match and were unable to deal with the pace of our opponents. Hopefully we can learn from our mistakes and improve in the coming matches,” Kenya coach Meshack Senge said on Sunday.

Kenya men face a baptism of fire on Monday when they take on hosts Egypt in a must win tie on day two of the competition.

The hosts thrashed Nigeria 13-1 in their opening match with Ahmed Elganaini and Houssam Ghobran bagging hat-tricks.

A brace each from Candice Manuel and Dirkie Chamberlain saw South Africa tear Kenya apart in their match.

Substitute Tarryn Glasby added the fifth in the final quarter as the champions launched their defence on a high. 

Kenya take on Ghana on Monday in what is a must-win encounter for them.

Ghana’s match with Zambia failed to take place after the latter’s no show at the tournament as hosts Egypt drew 1-1 with Nigeria.