Police, Telkom take top honours
What you need to know:
- Police coach Kenneth Kaunda praised his charges for playing according to instruction and converting their chances against a good side.
- Orange raced to a 3-0 first-half lead with two goals from Jacqueline Jow Wangeci and another goal from Hellen Chemtai saw Strathmore struggle in the first-half.
Kenya Police and Telkom Orange are the 2015 winners Vaisakhi Hockey Tournament men’s and women’s champions after winning their respective finals yesterday at City Park Stadium.
Police were 3-0 winners over Nairobi Simba while Telkom Orange retained the women’s crown after crushing Strathmore Scorpions 4-0. Police’s win saw them reclaim the title they last won in 2013.
Oliver Echenje converted a penalty corner in the 21st minute to give the law enforcers the lead before further goals from Samuel Kibirir and Edmond Makona gave the team a 3-0 half-time lead.
Simba, who beat visitors Ghana Revenue Authority en route to the final, were unable to find a way past the Police defence as their strikers wasted the few opportunities they got.
COACH KAUNDA HAPPY
Police coach Kenneth Kaunda praised his charges for playing according to instruction and converting their chances against a good side. He said the win will give them momentum as the season progresses with both league and continental assignments beckoning.
“We were determined to win the match and we made good use of our chances and that proved the difference in the match. We will build on this win for the remainder of the season,” Kaunda said.
Orange raced to a 3-0 first-half lead with two goals from Jacqueline Jow Wangeci and another goal from Hellen Chemtai saw Strathmore struggle in the first-half. The champions continued to dominate after the breather and added another goal through Audrey Omaido as Orange put their rivals to the sword in a dominant display.
Scorpions’ attack was limited, with Gilly Okumu and former Orange player Margarate Rotich kept out by Orange defence led by skipper Betsy Omalla and Terry Juma. Okumu had Scorpions’ best chance with the game still goalless but failed to connect with Yvonne Wanjiku.
Jow finished as the top scorer of the event with six goals. The striker scored four goals in her team’s opening league match against Vikings last week. Orange coach Jos Openda was full of praise for his team but noted that his team was yet to hit top form this season.
Visitors Ghana Revenue Authority finished third after beating Kenyan side Chase Sailors 1-0 in the playoff match. Winners got Sh35,000 each and runners-up Sh15,000.
