Kenya’s hockey teams post mixed results at Olympic qualifiers

Kenya hockey teams; men and women registered mixed results as the 2020 Olympics qualifiers kicked off Monday at the StellenBosch University, South Africa.

Women team also known as ‘Tausi’ edged Namibia by a solitary goal scored by United States International University Makokha in the second half of the match to bag three points in the opening day of the week-long tournament.

Although Tausi struggled for possession in large spells, they sat back and soaked pressure and when the moment came, a swift counter attack saw Makokha score the only goal of the match in the 45th minute.

The win for Tausi is a morale-booster ahead of their second match against Ghana Tuesday.

While the women team opened the tournament with a win, the men’s team ‘Chui’ will have to rectify their mistakes as they went down 3-2 to Ghana.

‘Chui’ were the first to strike through Constant Wakhura via a penalty corner two minutes to half time but Ghana drew level in the 37th minute through Benjamin Kwofie.

Festus Onyango restored Kenya’s lead in the 51st minute in an open play but Ghana quickly responded a minute later to once again draw level in the Elikam Akaba.

As the game seemed to have ended in a 2-2 stalemate, the West Africans broke Kenyans hearts as Nsalbini notched the winner right at the death.

Meshack Senge’s charges will have to regroup quickly as they face Egypt on Tuesday while women team takes on Ghana.

The week-long tournament being played in a round-robin format is used to select teams to represent the continent in next year’s Olympics Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan.

Tuesday fixtures in Kenyan time

Women

Ghana vs Kenya 1pm

Men

Egypt vs Kenya 3pm