Kenyatta lock horns with Strathmore in city derby

A potentially-explosive varsity derby takes place on Saturday when Kenyatta confront in-form Strathmore at City Park in one of the three women’s hockey league ties this weekend.

United States International University-Africa (USIU-A), who have been blowing hot and cold, have a battle at hand against Vikings on Saturday with struggling Sliders facing the unpredictable Multimedia University on Sunday.

The men’s Premier League also gathers momentum when leaders Wazalendo meet lethal Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCAU) Saturday.

Karate Axiom are on a tricky tour of Western Kenya where they meet Western Jaguars on Saturday, who are chasing their first win of the season at Kakamega High School. Karate will then cross over to the lake-side city of Kisumu for another interesting showdown with the 2008 champion Kisumu Simba at the Kisumu Simba grounds on Sunday.

Kenya Police, who have not had action for a month resume their title defence against USIU-A on Sunday.

Exert pressure

Kenyatta are inspired for revenge as they tackle Strathmore, who outclassed them 1-2 in the first leg. Kenyatta go into the match spurred by their 2-1 victory against Blue Eaglets last weekend.

Success for Kenyatta, who are placed second in the league with 11 points, will definitely exert pressure on second-placed Strathmore, who have 17 points. Telkom Orange top the vanguard with 21 points.

Kenya’s coach Dominic Mutwol should sighed with relief upon the return of his key defenders Karen Kamau, who is in the national Under-21 team and Tabitha Wanjiku. The recovery of Grace Moraa from injury should also give his mid-field that also has skipper Ndombellah Kikwata, Knight Barasa and Brenda Sagor some teeth. Joan Kangogo is expected to move back to the striking line.

Fixtures:

National women:

Kenyatta vs. Strathmore (12pm); USIU-A vs. Vikings (2pm)-City Park. National men: UoN vs. JKUAT (4pm)-City Park; Mombasa Institute (MI) vs. Kimathi (4pm) - MI.

Premier Men:

Western Jaguars vs. Karate Axiom (3pm)-Kakamega; Kakamega KCAU vs. Wazalendo (6pm)-City Park. Sunday: National women: Sliders vs. Multimedia (10am)-City Park. National men: MI vs. Kenya Poly (10am)-MI; Gymkhana vs. NYS (12pm); MKU vs. JKUAT (2pm); Parklands vs. Wazalendo Youth (4pm)-City Park.

Premier men:

Kisumu Simba vs. Karate Axiom (10am)-Kisumu; USIU-A vs. Kenya Police (6pm) - City Park.