As the first leg of the KHU 2023 season comes to an end and immediately ushering in the second leg, there were a series of mouthwatering matches staged today in various venues in the country.
In the coastal city of Mombasa, visiting Parkroad Badgers and Parkroad Tigers recorded mixed results. In the national league tie, Tigers captained by Oyale Ian had a lesson to teach their hosts Mombasa West. They sunk 3 goals in the Mombasa West goal. Emmanuel Ruto, Aaron Kiplagat and Ian Oyale were on target for the Tigers. Their elder brothers in the Super League side Parkroad Badgers were not lucky in the hands of fast rising Daikyo Heroes as they went down by 2 goals to one. Vincent Wesonga and George Otieno were on target for Daikyo while Lennox Onyango scored for Parkroad.
Back in the city, there were several matches lined up. In the ladies super league side, visiting teams from Kisumu and Mombasa did not have a good day in office. Wazalendo Youth who have had a series of mixed results went home with one crucial point in the bag after playing to a goalless draw at the Nairobi Impala grounds. Consolata Matengo of Twinkle Hockey Club’s goal ensured the Nairobi side took home maximum points from visiting Kisumu Queens. On the other hand, Sliders’ goal machine Charity Miller ensured their hopes of getting back to the Women Premier League are kept alive as they overcame all odds to beat Mombasa Sports Club by a solitary goal.
In the men premier league, USIU-A men added 3 crucial points against their name after beating hosts Sikh Union Nairobi by 3 goals to 1. Neville Mulupi, Brian Biko and JamesMuthii ensured the varsity lads went home all smiles. Harvir Singh was on the score tally as he scored their only goal of the match.
In another match of the day, defending champions Butali Warriors sounded a warning to the rest of their opponents with a 3-2 win over Sailors Hockey club. Jairus Muzembi alias BOCA was first on target before George Mutira restored parity in the match. John Wafula put sailors in the lead before Zack Aura and Festus Onyango equalized and put Butali in the lead.
In Kakamega, the Western Jaguars fraternity ended first leg in style with the 2 teams; Western Jaguars Development and Western Jaguars recording important wins. Western Jaguars Development who hosted The Nandi Hawks were out to ensure that they are accorded the ‘respect’ that comes with the name, thrashed Nandi Hawks by 3 straight goals. Jesse Munyendo’s brace and Martin Kasanda’s goals were all they needed to go home all smiles.
In the premier league clash, Western Jaguars continued with their winning form beating Kenya Police in their pitch nicknamed Maasai Mara. A solitary goal from Derrick Juma in the fourth quarter was all they needed to bag the maximum points and keep their hopes of lifting the2023 title alive. In the 4 encounters the two teams have had this year, Western Jaguars has had a 75% success rate and Police 25%. “We are taking each match as a final and we are giving it our all. We are not there yet. We are a work in progress and the bigger picture is to take the sport back to the glory it had in the 80s”, one of the Jaguars team officials said.
Sunday will have Kisumu Queens take on MSC Ladies, GHF Blue Pirates take on Nandi Hawks, MMU Ladies host Sliders, Thika Rovers invite Daystar University Men, JKUAT square it out against GHF Rift Pirates, Black Tigress face Vikings, JKUAT Men face MMU Men and Wazalendo welcome KCA University
29 July 2023 Results
National League Men-Western Zone
Western Jaguars Dev 3-0 Nandi Hawks
National League Men-Eastern Zone
Impala 0-0 Wazalendo Youth
Mombasa West 0-3 Parkroad Tigers
Super League Women
Twinkle 1-0 Kisumu Queens
Sliders 1-0 MSC
Premier League Men
Western Jaguars 1-0 Kenya Police
Sikh Union 1-3 USIU-A
Butali 3-2 Sailors
Super League Men
Daikyo Heroes 2-1 Parkroad Badgers
Parklands Sports Club 0-2 Wazalendo Masters
Photo Credit: Western Jaguars
