All set for Africa hockey tourney
Morale is high in the Kenyan camp ahead of the Africa Hockey Federation Africa cup of nations which kicks off in Nairobi next Monday.
The tournament, which has been postponed thrice due to an array reasons, will be staged at the City Park Stadium.
In September, the tournament was called off at the last minute following the terror attacks at the Westgate shopping mall.
Egypt, South Africa, Ghana and Tanzania have confirmed participation.
Winners of the tournament will seal a ticket to the June 2014 World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands.
Kenya’s men’s team has been camping at the City Stadium under the guidance of Coach Meshack Senge who oozed confidence of his team’s chances in the tournament.
Big boost
The team received a boost after key players finally reported to camp. Italian based Kenyan International Barnabas Odhiambo joined the team on Friday after been released by his club HC Superbha.
Coach Munge also expressed delight after experienced international Frank Wanangwe also reported to camp despite work commitments.
Wanangwe, who plays for Kisumu Simba, is expected to partner Odhiambo along with the prolific Brian Musasia in midfield.
Kenya will however miss the services of the Zack Aura who is out of the team due to work commitments.
Coach Munge believes he has strikers who will provide the much needed firepower upfront.
“Of course Zack is a brilliant player, but we have other players who can be able to score goals and win matches for us”, he told NairobiNews.
Kenya will play Egypt in their first game next Monday.
Egypt, who had earlier pulled out from the tournament in September, will be the first team to arrive in the country on Friday November 15.
Men’s team: Linus Sang, James Kayieko, Kenneth Nyongesa, Wilson Birir, Richard Saina, Constant Wakhura, Brian Saina, Maxwell Wakhungu, Willis Okeyo, Allan Inungu, Leon Magomere, Francis Esikuri, Brian Musasia, Frank Wanangwe, Davis Wanangwe, George Mutira, Moses Cheplaiti, Barnabas Odhiambo.
Coach- Meshack Senge, assistant coach- Inderjit Matharu, team tanager- Geofrey Bila, conditioning coach-Cyrus Kanyi.