Police aim gunfire at Nairobi Simba in hockey season opener
After losing their hockey league title to Butali Sugar Warriors last season, Kenya Police’s mission this season is to win back the coveted title.
The 2013 champions face a tough opening match against 2012 champions Nairobi Simba when the new season gets underway this weekend.
The match will certainly give a clear perspective of which team will be serious challengers to Butali Sugar Warriors in the new campaign which has seen the return of the home and away format.
Police won Uganda Hockey Association (UHA) 2015 Easter Cup open in Kampala last weekend after beating compatriots United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) in the final.
Police beat rivals Greensharks 1-0 in the semifinal and also thrashed Wazalendo 3-0 in the groups stages enroute to the final.
The women’s event was won by USIU Spartans who saw off four Ugandan clubs to finish on top of the table.
The law enforces will be hoping to carry the good form when they take on Nairobi Simba.
Police crashed Nairobi Simba 4-2 in the semifinals last season in one of their best matches last year and a repeat performance will underline their ambitions of reclaiming the title.
HUNGRY FOR CROWN
Police have lost two players with internationals Brian Musasia and Francis Esikuri joining rivals Butali Sugar Warriors and Chase Bank respectively.
However, team manager Tom Ondeng’ is optimistic the team will be able to cope well with the available players.
“We are still a force to reckon with despite the gap left by the players. We proved that we are still strong by winning the Ugandan event and we want to carry the momentum into the first weekend of the league and for the rest of the season,” Ondeng told Daily Nation Sport.
The law enforcers have drafted the services of youngsters Robert Masibo and Elly Odindo who have arrived from Bay Club. The duo impressed during the Uganda event.
The team manager further warned their rivals that his team is hungry for the crown but hastened to added that they will not underestimate any of their opponents.
“It will be a long season, there will be many matches and we need to be consistent in these games if we want to be crowned champions. The boys have been good in training and are hungry for success this season,” he said.
Later in the year, Police alongside Butali Sugar Warriors will represent Kenya in the African Club Championship in Egypt.