Police, Simba clash in semis
Kenya Police celebrate a goal against USIU-A during their Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men’s Premier League match at City park stadium on November 1, 2014. Kenya Police will take on Nairobi Simba on November 30, 2014 in the semi-finals. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
What you need to know:
- Defending champions Kenya Police who finished second in Pool B will take on arch-rivals Nairobi Simba Sunday in one of the semi-final matches while the other game will see Butali Sugar Warriors (formerly Kisumu Simba) play Wazalendo.
- The 2012 champions Nairobi Simba will hand out starting slots to their two new acquisitions, Manmeet Raj and Manimeet Jeet Singh who signed from Indian Hockey League (IHL) Indian Whales early this month.
- Butali Sugar Warriors will start as favourites in the other semi-final match against Wazalendo.
After the completion of pool matches in the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men’s Premier League, action now moves to the semi-finals with teams fighting for slots in the final this weekend.
Defending champions Kenya Police, who finished second in Pool B, will take on arch-rivals Nairobi Simba Sunday in one of the semi-final matches while the other game will see Butali Sugar Warriors (formerly Kisumu Simba) play Wazalendo.
The match between Police and Nairobi Simba is certainly the pick of the weekend, with both teams expected to parade an array of talent in the match.
Police sealed a place in the semi-finals last weekend after beating Western Jaguars 6-1 and will look to build on that result going into Sunday’s game.
The last clash between the two sides was in the Sana Cup at the Coast last month, with Police thrashing Simba 6-0 in the semi-finals of the event.
NEW ACQUISITIONS
However Simba have been in ominous form this season, winning all their pool games and is the only team in the semis to have maintained a 100 per cent record.
The 2012 champions Nairobi Simba will hand out starting slots to their two new acquisitions, Manmeet Raj and Manimeet Jeet Singh who signed from Indian Hockey League (IHL) Indian Whales early this month.
“The duo will make their debut and I am confident they will make a mark for us in the remaining games. We go into this game in top form and if we can keep that form up we might just make it to the finals,” Simba team manager Kalpesh Solanki.
Simba will also welcome Kenyan internationals Davies Wanangwe and George Mutira from suspension.
STUTTERING START
Champions Kenya Police on the other hand appear to have hit form at the right time after a stuttering start to the season.
Police will be boosted by the return of Moses Cheplaiti and Willis Okeyo.
Police coach Ken Kaunda said his team has been consistent throughout the season and will prove their worth in the match.
“We have been training hard all week and we will be out to win this match and play the final next weekend,” Kaunda said.
Butali Sugar Warriors will start as favourites in the other semi-final match against Wazalendo.
