KHU League: Butali, Wazalendo share spoils

Defending champions Butali Sugar Warriors and Wazalendo Hockey Club played to a one-all draw in the men’s Hockey Premier League match held Saturday at the City Park.

Following the results, the status quo remains as Butali still remain top of the top tier league with 14 points while Wazalendo remain third with 13 points same as Western Jaguars who are sandwiched between the two clubs.

Butali head coach Dennis Owoka admitted that his side struggled against Wazalendo.

“I think I am happy we have earned a point and we are still unbeaten in the league. Wazalendo played well and for sure we were lucky to come out of the contest with a point,” observed Owoka.

His Wazalendo counterpart Fidhelis Kimanzi was full of praise for his charges after a good show although he rued many uncoverted chances from his side.

“The boys did well as we had planned and I think we were the better side only if we had taken our chances then it would have been a different story,” said Kimanzi.

Butali opened the scoring in 30th minute courtesy of a high flying golazo by George Mutira before Wazalendo equalized in the 37th minute via Isaac Nandukule.

The champions were quick to press their opponents in the early stages suffocating them to their own half but nevertheless failed to create any meaningful chance to score.

Since the match was pitting league leaders and third-placed side in Butali and Wazalendo respectively, the contest lived to its billing with tackles, saves and fouls flying all over the pitch.

Wazalendo would, however, grow into the match and consequently dominate the centre of the park thus curtailing any moves by the champions.

Although Butali would score at the trot of half time, Wazalendo continued their high pressing game while executing well taken long balls which worked against the champions and also led to the equalizer seven minutes after half time.

There were tense moments towards the tail end of the match as Wazalendo pushed for the winner literally camping in their opponent’s box, but ultimately missed their resulting two short corners.

Wazalendo have been a revelation this season having lost only one match in six outings with the loss coming against Western Jaguars last weekend.

On their part, Butali remain unbeaten with four wins and two draws in six matches.

In the Women’s Premier League matches played on Saturday, Sliders beat JKUAT by a solitary goal at the City Park while Lakers were held to a barren draw by Amira Sailors in Kisumu.

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Wazalendo Butali Sugar Warriors

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