Butali Warriors feeling Police heat in KHU title race

Butali Warriors head coach Dennis Owaka warned they cannot afford to drop more points after Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) champions Kenya Police once again narrowed their lead over the weekend.

The league leaders, who last won the KHU title in 2015, crushed Parklands 5-0 on Saturday but were stunned 1-0 by relegation-threatened side Parkroad Badgers on Sunday for only their second loss of the campaign.

The shock defeat left Police only three points adrift on 42 points yet the title-holders, who defeated Strathmore University 2-0 on Sunday, could go top should they win their games in hand against Sikh Union and Western Jaguars.

“The pressure is now too high because Police are catching up. It is very disappointing to lose points to Parkroad who are below the red line.

“This week we will work on our shooting skills because we have wasted so many chances that we ought to have been converting,” Owaka told Citizen Digital.

Police head coach, Frederick Masibo played down their chances of retaining the title but said his players are ‘very focused’ focused and have a real belief in themselves.

“I can’t celebrate because Butali has lost today; I don’t know what will happen next. We have very tough fixtures ahead but we are well prepared,” Masibo said.

Last season, the police won the title with 77 points after winning 25 matches, drawing two and only losing one while Butali came second with 70 points, winning 22, four draws and two defeats.

Strathmore University are the only  students who have won the league title in Africa and after yesterday’s loss, they are at position five with 22 points in 17 matches.

According to Meshack Senge, students coach, it’s difficult to have a solid team of students since they change players every year.

“It’s challenging for us because once the students graduate, they seize being players and so we are forced to recruit new players fresh from high school,” He said.

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kenya police KHU Butali warriors

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