Strathmore win but title beyond reach

PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | FILE Strathmore University’s Carol Njoki (L) battles for the ball with Kenyatta University’s Joan Chemtai during their hockey league match on June 6, 2012. She scored in her team’s 1-0 win over Telkom at the weekend.

What you need to know:

  • The remaining matches favour Telkom who trail Strathmore by two points and were unbeaten for four seasons before last weekend’s loss at City Park Stadium
  • Even winning their remaining ties against USIU-A and Multimedia University can not guarantee Strathmore their maiden title
  • Meanwhile, Kisumu Simba wound up their season, drawing 1-1 with KCA-U before beating Greensharks 3-1

Even after bringing down Telkom Orange 1-0 at the weekend to lead the league with 35 points, Strathmore University’s chances of lifting the women’s national hockey title still remain slim.

The remaining matches favour Telkom who trail Strathmore by two points and were unbeaten for four seasons before last weekend’s loss at City Park Stadium.

Even winning their remaining ties against USIU-A and Multimedia University can not guarantee Strathmore their maiden title since Telkom have four matches left; against Kenyatta University, Multimedia, Sliders and Mombasa and it is unlikely that on-form Telkom will lose in all these matches to gift Strathmore the title.

Also Read

Close race

Strathmore have 11 wins, two draws and one loss in the league which was against Telkom in the first leg.

Champions Telkom have 11 wins and one loss and are on course for their 13th successive league title.

Telkom’s defeat to Strathmore was the first in the league since 2008 when they went down to USIU–A in the normal league. But Telkom still retained the title after turning tables on the varsity girls in the play-off final, winning 4-3 in extra time.

Last weekend, Strathmore, coached by Zack Aura, dominated the last session of play as the varsity girls changed their attacking style, leading to the decisive goal. Carol Njoki pushed a penalty corner flick to Lilian Aura who connected with Regina Mwangi for Lucy Wanjiku to score.

USIU-A’s Pauline Naise netted a brace to spur them to a 2-0 victory over Sliders. USIU-A are placed fifth with 17 points, one off fourth-placed Sliders while Eaglets are third on 19 points.

Meanwhile, Kisumu Simba wound up their season, drawing 1-1 with KCA-U before beating Greensharks 3-1.

Nairobi Simba have already clinched the title still with a match at hand.

Results:

Men’s national: KU 2, Daystar 0; Multi-Media 0, Nakuru 1; Mombasa Institute 0, MKU 0.

Women’s National League: USIU-A 2, Sliders 0; Telkom 0, Strathmore 1; Kimathi 1,Daystar 0; Wazalendo Youth 5, Gymkhana 1, NYS 0, Nakuru 5.

Men’s Premier: Jaguars 0, G Sharks 2; KSCA 1, Kisumu Simba 1; KCAU 3, Western Jaguars 2; Greensharks 1, Kisumu Simba 3.

In the headlines