Wed 15 Oct, 2008
|
|
|
|
Kenya: Armed Forces retain hockey title  x5
 |
| Africa |
August 3, 2004
Nation Media News
> Page Views 1734
Armed Forces retain hockey title
By: ANNE NJAMBI
Armed Forces successfully defended the Kenya Hockey Union Premier League title when they beat Kenya Police 2-1 in extra-time in the final at Simba Union club.
In a tight match that lasted 81 minutes the soldiers were kept on their toes by a Police side who maintained their cool throughout the match.
For the future, the soldiers have to re-evaluate themselves if they hope to stay on as the top team in the country. In the close fought final the opposition harassed the soldiers, a fact that captain Ben Owago conceded.
"It was a tough final, we have not played such a final since we first won the title eight years back. Police are coming up and they have offered us great resistance," said Owago.
On the other hand, Police captain Ken Osikuku had just one word for the soldiers. "Watch out, we have showcased our potential and next season we are going flat out for the title," he said.
Emerging from an easy semi-final where they beat Wazalendo 3-0 in a one sided match on Saturday, the champions had to settle down for a harder task as they faced an improved Kenya Police.
On the other hand Kenya Police had warmed up for a tough encounter after they qualified for the final after a 3-1 win over last year's finalists Nairobi Simba.
Ace striker Zachariah Aura was completely checked out of the game by a successful man-to-man marking that the policemen had put in place.
Nevertheless, he displayed superb stick work in the forward line which earned his side numerous short corners but none became fruitful.
Veteran Kenneth Kaunda roved in the midfield giving instructions to ensure a perfect connection between the Police forward line and the defence.
The champions were first to score in the 20th minute after a controversial penalty taken by captain Owago.
But this did not deter the opponents as they replied in the seven minutes later through Benson Saimo setting the mood for an explosive encounter.
An explosive second half left umpires Mike Omondi and Shiraz Yacoob with no option than to employ disciplinary measures to calm down an Armed Forces side as anxiety mounted for a winning goal.
Bernard Mirigi was given marching orders in the 51st minute while captain Owago had to surrender his band to vice-captain William Oketch as he was shown a yellow card in the 71st minute.
The soldiers' goalkeeper Joseph Osino had to keep a keen eye on the combination of the Police captain Osikuku, Ken Otieno and James Munyi which was lethal at the front.
Police survived torrid moments towards the end of the second half as the champions relentlessly raided in search of winning goal.
Kevin Otieno and Osikuku did duty for the policemen up front with intelligent counter-attacks.
Police succumbed to the 2-1 defeat in the 81st minute when Mirigi found the net after a slight blunder in the defence. Left alone in the goalmouth, Kaunda could not save the situation.
Your opinion counts.
Rate this article or enter your comments below.
|
Opinions expressed here do not represent the official views of PlanetFieldHockey.com or its staff. Comments will be removed if they are considered offensive or of a personal nature.
Comments on this article
|
D-MAN
08-05-2004 1:16 am
|
Report this post
|
What a State
Congratulations to Kenya Armed Forces for retaining the title... and to Kenya Police for their focus on developing a Hockey Team that plays hockey and not ping pong.
My issue though is with Nairobi Simba Union.... a team representing the home of Kenyan Hockey, that without a doubt, is just as clueless as the current chair of the Kenya Hockey Union on the direction of the game.
The team this season has been lucky to put 11 players on the pitch let alone 16 in the squad. They have a manager who some might say relishes this as this gives him a chance to don the sacred yellow and blue.
Question: should this individual not be out searching for REAL new talent to nurture/hence beef up a side lacking in player power?
They've been playing 4-4-2 so check this.. The frontline is completely short on any talent worth mentioning. The half line has two players out of four. one who with out a doubt is the leading player in the country, the other who takes things for granted as there is not internal opposition breathing fire down his neck. Then the back line and keeper who without any doubt what so ever are the mainstay of this side. Put two and two together and you have 6 players on the pitch and none on the bench... You really are not going to win the national league let alone the premier league with this sort of set up.
The seniors of this club better put their heads together and plot a solution to this serious problem... else three of the six hang up their sticks and you will have the perfect ingredients for a slide into oblivion. Further this should not be done 1 month before the new season but NOW.
If teams such as Kenya Police, USIU, can develop their structure what in heavens name is a hinderance to Nairobi Simba Union. Afterall they have a lot more access to resources then them.
On a closing note... The 2003/2004 premier league consisted of 5 teams playing home and away, why did it have to take close to a year to complete the fixtures considering there was only one other tournament in between. I tell you why because the KHU is a MORIBUND institution. But then you knew that all along did'nt you.
|
|
MD
08-06-2004 8:22 am
|
Report this post
|
Anne Njambi
Is this the same Anne Njambi that went to Jamhuri High School ??
|
|
Patrick
08-31-2004 12:15 pm
|
Report this post
|
Kenyan Hockey on a High?
It is always nice to read and hear of such challenging games of hockey, and the fact that they are in Kenya makes it even better.
The one down side though is that you never read about any new players inany of the teams. They are the same old playes and this is not a recepie for development. Being a kenyan player currently based in South Africa, i can say now that kenya, given the right exposure, and a stock of good players, can take on even the bestin the world.
Come on my countrymen, there are so many talented young players, give them a chance and let's build a team with a view to qualifying for the 2008 olympics. I know we can if we want to.
|
|
john paul
09-22-2004 1:36 pm
|
Report this post
|
hockey
this is much an improvement in the countries hockey as some potential players like us will get a game we like to keep us going. the organisers keep up the good work and hope to meet you(the one reading this on the pitch).
see you and be safe..
|
|
ANS
10-10-2004 1:20 pm
|
Report this post
|
Kenyan Hockey
Jambo,
As a person born & raised in Nairobi, Kenya (and a die hard fan of anything Kenya has an attempt at) - I would love to see Kenyan hockey being restored to the good old days of the 70s. Sort out the people at the top. Kenya was top 4 in hockey, and now it seems to be struggling to finish top 4 in Africa. The talent has always been there and will be there
I know the cost of astro-turf may be prohibitive for Kenya to develop enough players to hone their skills on such a surface, but hopefully there are good enough clay & grass pitches to play on.
From a former Jamhuri High School Student (1980-83)
Kwaheri
|
|
|
|
 |
HOME | FEATURES | CLUBHOUSE | CAMPS | LINKS | ABOUT US | STORE | ADVERTISE
Use of this site is subject to certain Terms & Conditions.
|
|
|
