Impala edge Dedan Kimathi lads in thriller
Ann Mbugua of Kenyatta University drives the ball during their Kenya Hockey Union Women's Premier League match against Chase Amiras at City Park Stadium on July 23, 2016. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
What you need to know:
- A last minute winner from Brian Odhiambo gave Impala the three points in the pulsating encounter.
- Earlier, newcomers Amiras Sailors made their bow in the women’s league in a 0-0 draw against Kenyatta University Titans at the same venue.
Impala edged out Dedan Kimathi University 2-1 in a Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men’s national league match at City Park Stadium on Saturday.
A last minute winner from Brian Odhiambo gave Impala the three points in the pulsating encounter.
Impala had fallen behind to a 23rd minute strike from Kimathi’s Kevin Otieno but levelled seven minutes after the break through a field goal from Odhiambo.
Odhaimbo struck again with the last shot of the game with a pin-point penalty conversion to ensure his team walked away with the three points.
Impala coach Amway Olubai was pleased with his team’s fighting spirt after falling behind early on.
“Our attitude after falling behind was fantastic and we were able to pin them back in their won half. We are hoping to build on this result in our coming matches and hopefully, we can secure promotion to the top flight,” Olubai told Sunday Nation Sport.
Kimathi will only have themselves to blame for the defeat after failing to convert a number of chances while they were still 1-0 up. Otieno missed two one-on-one opportunities with Impala keeper Walter Lumumba.
A pep talk from Olubai at the breather inspired Impala’s fight-back in the second half and they deservedly got the two goals to complete an impressive display. Odhiambo levelled after his shot beat Kimathi keeper David Mathenge at his near post.
The home side continued to press and with the game seemingly headed for a draw, Odhiambo popped up once again to grab the winner finishing off a penalty corner to break the university players’ hearts.
“I think we were unlucky to lose this match because we dominated in the first half. We switched off in the second half and allowed our opponents to dominate,” Kimathi coach James Kinuthia said.
Earlier, newcomers Amiras Sailors made their bow in the women’s league in a 0-0 draw against Kenyatta University Titans at the same venue.
Amiras, fielding players signed from Titans, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and United States International University of Africa (USIU-A), were unable to break down a Titans side that defended well.
