USIU stalk Telkom in hockey league

Sliders' Christine Mboone (right) dribbles past Telkom's Terry Juma during their Kenya Hockey Union Premier League match match on May 6, 2018 at City Park Stadium. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Telkom coach Jos Openda is likely to miss six key players owing to injuries including skipper Tracy Karanja, who sustained a knock while in training on Thursday.

Injury-hit champions Telkom have a battle at hand against United States International University-Africa (USIU-A) as the second leg of women’s Kenya Hockey Union Premier League gets underway on Saturday at City Park.

Telkom coach Jos Openda is likely to miss six key players owing to injuries including skipper Tracy Karanja, who sustained a knock while in training on Thursday.

Others on Telkom injury list are defender Flavian Mutiva, midfielder Barbra Simiyu and forwards Anne Juma and Lilian Aura.

“While the rest are definitely out, want to monitor Karanja and Aura carefully before deciding whether to field them or not,” said Openda, who is out for an improved show against USIU-A. Telkom beat 3-0 USIU-A in the first leg.

The varsity student’s coach Willis “Awilo” Okeyo expects a full house ahead of the encounter with the return of Grace Akumu, who was suspended in their 5-1 rout of Sliders in their last league match, boosting their charge.

“It won’t be easy since we know USIU-A are planning for a different approach after they finished second last season and lost to us in the first leg,” said Openda. “We have key injuries but there is no apprehension since we got great depth.”

Telkom have won all their six matches this season where they have only conceded two goals when they rallied from behind 2-0 to beat Sliders 7-2. They top the seven-team standings with 18 points.

USIU THIRD

USIU-A are currently placed third with 10 points from three wins, a draw and two losses. They succumbed to an identical 3-0 loss to Telkom and Strathmore respectively.

“We are well prepared and Telkom are beatable…they scored in the last quarter to beat us in the first leg,” said Okeyo adding that they know what to do after they watched Telkom beat Strathmore 1-0 in their last match. “It shows that the gap is narrowing.”

Okeyo said that they key to bringing Telkom’s record unbeaten run is to stay disciplined and convert every opportunity that comes across.

“We respect them but we shall give them a run for their money as we seek to uphold the momentum from Sliders victory,” said Okeyo.

Meanwhile, two matches are on card in men’s Premier League with the clash between former champions Nairobi Simba Union and Strathmore University on Sunday highlighting the weekend.

Strathmore will be hoping for a repeat performance after they rallied from behind to beat Simba 5-4 in the first leg.

Strathmore are placed fifth with 16 points from 10 matches of five wins, four losses and a draw while Simba are seventh with 12 points from 11 outings of four wins, a draw and six losses.

FIXTURES

Saturday

Women’s Premier League: Telkom v USIU (2pm)-City Park

Men’s National League: Gorilla v UON (12pm)-City Park

Men’s Super League: Kabarak University v TUK (3pm) Nakuru; Impala v Kisumu Youngstars (4pm) - City Park; Chase Sailors v Mvita XI (6pm)-City Park.

Sunday (All matches at City Park)

Men’s Premier League: Sikh Union v Strathmore (3pm)-City Park; Wazalendo v USIU (5pm)

Men’s Super League: Kisumu Youngstars v Mvita XI (9am); Wazalendo Masters v Kimathi University (11am)-City Park; Chase Sailors v Kabarak University (1pm)-City Park