Hungry Strathmore Scorpions target African title in Bulawayo

Could this be the year that Strathmore Scorpions finally clinch their maiden African Hockey Club Championship?

Last year’s national women’s league runners up and silver medallists at the continental hockey bonanza will fancy their chances of lifting their first title when they make their third appearance at the club championship in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe starting this weekend.

The varsity queens - who finished sixth in their first appearance at this level in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in 2010 before being cast in the wilderness for three years after poor performances locally - made a return to the African secen in January 2014 in Kampala where they went all the way to the final before falling 2-0 to fellow Kenyan side Telkom Orange.

The university side are looking to go one better this time and based on their current form, they certainly look stronger than they were back in January.

The Scorpions have been impressive in the league campaign this season winning all their pool matches where they scored a massive 30 goals in the process, the highest in the league this term. Ten of those goals have been scored by prolific striker Gilly Okumu.

The tall and lanky striker who has an eye for goal has terrorised defences this season and her goals have helped her team reach this season’s league play-offs set for next month. If she can replicate her league form on the continental stage, Scorpions can definitely dream of their first club title.

“We were disappointed after losing out in Kampala (to Orange) but we have learnt from our mistakes and we want to make amends and lift the title. Everyone is hungry to get their hands on it ( title),” Okumu told Daily Nation Sporton Tuesday.

WARNED HIS PLAYERS

Strathmore coach Meshack Senge has however warned his charges against underestimating any team at the tournament noting that all teams have a chance at the title. Senge took charge of the team’s last training session ahead of their departure Wednesday night.

“We have worked on our set plays and penalty corners which are the main areas that we needed to improve on and we are now good to go. We have worked hard in all the sessions and hope to do better,” Senge said.

The silver medallists are top seeds in Pool B and will get their campaign under way against home side Bulawayo Athletics Club (BAC) on Saturday. They will then take on Twende from Tanzania in their second game before matches against Plateau Queens (Nigeria), Shams of Egypt and Ghana Revenue Authority whom they beat in Kampala on their way to the final.