Leaders Telkom Orange tackle Sliders in high stakes clash

Leaders Telkom Orange take on second placed Sliders in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday at the City Park Stadium as the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) league resumes after the festive season with seven matches lined up.

Fresh from winning their eighth Africa Cup of Club Championships title last month in Lusaka, Orange will fancy their chances of beating Sliders and extending their lead at the top to 10 points.

The African champions won the reverse fixture 9-0 on May 10 last year, their highest ever win in the fixture, and will be out to complete the double.

Orange skipper Betsy Omalla has urged her teammates to collect three points as they chase an unprecedented 18th league crown.

“We ended 2015 on a high by winning the continental crown and we want to start the year with that kind of form,” Omalla said.

“It will be a difficult match against a tactical side but we are looking forward to claiming another three points.”

Sliders coach Nixon Nyangaga is however optimistic his team can inflict Orange with their first defeat of the season and avenge the huge loss in the first leg.

Nyangaga will however miss the services of first-choice keeper Flavian Amuhaya who will sit out due to work commitments.

“It will be a tactical match between two great sides with experienced players but we are looking forward to face the champions and I believe we can cause an upset tomorrow (Saturday),” Nyangaga said.

CUT LEAD

A win for Sliders will see them cut Orange’s lead to four points.

The 2013 men’s premier league champions Kenya Police will look to go top of the men’s premier league with victories in their two matches against Parklands Saturday evening and Strathmore University's Gladiators on Sunday at the same venue.

Victory over Parklands on Saturday will see the law enforcers draw level on points with Butali ahead of Sunday’s clash against former champions Strathmore.

Police coach Kenneth Kaunda has challenged his forwards to score more goals so as to improve their chances of reclaiming the league title.

The law enforcers have scored 40 goals, 19 less than Butali who have sounded the board 59 times, though the leaders have played a game more.

"We are in the second leg and we need to score more goals and win all matches if we intend to regain the trophy," the coach noted.

In other matches this weekend, 2012 champions Sikh Union Nairobi take on Strathmore Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, Vikings take on Strathmore women’s team, Wazalendo Youth face Thika Rovers and Parklands tackle Sikh Union. All matches will be played at City Park Stadium.

FIXTURES (All matches at City Park Stadium)

Saturday

National women: Orange v Sliders- 2pm

Premier men: Police v Parklands - 4pm, Strathmore v Sikh Union- 6pm

Sunday

National women: Strathmore v Vikings- 9am

National men: Wazalendo Youth v Thika Rovers - 11am

Premier men: Sikh Union v Parklands - 1pm, Police Strathmore- 3pm