Butali to axe four after KHU end of season

Four players will fall victims of an attempt by Butali Warriors head coach Dennis Owoko to fix what he termed are ‘flaws’ in his team.

The quartet will be released by the 2015 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) League champions with Owoko keen to inject more aggression and versatility to the squad.

The tactician said the players will soon be notified of the club’s decision before their names are disclosed to the public but said virtually all departments including the defence, midfield and attack require a fresh breath of life.

“Four players will have to leave the club and we will bring in their surrogates. I don’t want them to learn this from the media so we will have to talk to them first,” Owoko told Citizen Digital.

Butali currently lead the KHU standings on goal difference, level with Kenya Police on 48 points although the defending champions have a game in hand.

Owoko admitted they are feeling the heat from the law enforcers with the final day fixture featuring the two sides at City Park grounds on December 9 increasingly looking primed to be a title-decider.

The transfer window for the KHU League is set to open on Thursday, November 1, and close in mid-December where each club will be allowed to sign five new players within the period.

The KHU fixtures’ secretary, Moses Majiwa, has revealed that the transfer window will go hand in hand with the registration of new clubs.

“Tomorrow we are opening the transfer window and the teams will have enough time to work on their squad. We will also be registering new clubs that will be included in the National League for men and Super League for women,” Majiwa said.

Last season, Technical University of Kenya (TUK) women team was locked out after issuing their registration details late and Majiwa has warned that the period will not be extended.

“If you own a club and you want to register with the union, be advised that you have to do that within the stipulated time, don’t be locked out,” Majiwa advised.

The KHU league season has entered the homestretch with only four matches left to go.