Butali, Strathmore are hockey champions
Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men’s premier league defending champions Butali Warriors had their unbeaten record smashed in a shock 1-0 defeat by former champions Kenya Police at the City Park stadium over the weekend.
During the otherwise balanced match, Sammy Oungo notched in the all-important goal following a solo effort.
Police were in an uncompromising mood as they raided Butali defence for a lengthy part of the match before Oungo disentangled himself from his markers to unleash a screamer straight inside the board in the third quarter of the match.
“It was a do or die for us and we knew Butali has always been a tough opponent, so we planned to stick to our game plan. We had trained well and knew their weak points,” said team captain Victor Wanyama.
He added: ” When we forced them to make errors we got the crucial penalty that was scored by Sammy and we had no option but to switch to defence mode,”’
Butali Warriors captain Constant Wakhura rued missing a penalty before his team was punished for through the same following an infringement.
“We didn’t utilize our chances and we ended up not scoring and when I missed the penalty I felt that I had wasted the team. It’s not over for us, we came in here unbeaten but our odds were ruined by the number of cards we were issued and having to play with fewer players but all the same, together it was the kind of match that will help us tune up for the Africa club championship.” Butali Warriors captain Constant Wakhura said.
Strathmore Scorpions captain Jeriah Onsare said winding the women’s premier league unbeaten was the most satisfying feeling in their hockey career.
“It’s the most satisfying feeling in our hockey careers to finally win the title unbeaten it has always been a dream and now it came true after working very hard for it. We used this match as a tune-up for the Africa Club Championship,” Strathmore Scorpions captain Josiah Onsare told People Sports after defeating Wolverines 2-0.
