KU out to delay Police coronation as KHU go to poll

The Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Premier League resumes over the weekend after a one-month break festive season break with a congested program scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

The weekend will also mark a decisive period for the KHU as the national body convenes for their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on a day they will also elect a new office.

The fixtures timetable however remains unaffected with a total of 12 matches will be on the cards with Kenya Police set to seal the title race should they beat Kenyatta University (KU) who are second from the bottom of the log.

The law enforcers have been in a sublime form this season having tasted defeat only once in 25 matches. That loss came against Western Jaguars in December last year.

Despite his side’s emphatic lead, Police Assistant coach Patrick Mugambi says there is no time for celebrations just yet and has warned his charges against complacency.

“We do not have any pressure although we must be wary because KU were recently crowned Kenya University Sports Association (KUSA) champions meaning it will not be a walk in the park against them,” Mugambi said.

Having overseen training of his players since Monday after the one-month break, Mugambi says that they are in a good shape ahead of the title deciding match where he also issued a rallying cry to his players not to let down the club faithful.

“I urge our supporters to be behind the team but the players should in return do their best to make them happy,” added Mugambi.

Western Jaguars who were on a good run of form prior to the break undefeated in their last four matches will travel to Nakuru to face Nakuru as United States International University USIU- men host defending champions Strathmore University Gladiators.

Second placed Strathmore University women entertain Kenyatta University as they look to pull away from the third placed Chase Amiras who are hot on their heels at only three points adrift.

On other matches, JKUAT will face Mombasa Sports Club (MSC) as Multi Media University (MMU) entertains sixth placed Sliders.

In the corresponding men’s fixtures, the already relegated Technical University of Kenya (TUK) will have a date with Butali Warriors.

On Sunday, Telkom will face MMU with the defending champions enjoying a stellar season in the league since they have not lost a single match so far with only three matches remaining and are on course to winning the league for a record 20th time.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, head coach Jos Openda says they are now shifting the attention to the Africa Cup for Club Championships slated for 20- 28 January in Ghana since for them they had the league on their hands for a long time.

“We are now focusing on the continental championships because for us we wrapped up the league long time ago with the only downfall being the fact that we have conceded three goals despite the unbeaten run,” charged a bullish Openda.

Other matches lined up for Sunday will see Parkroad Badgers take on Western Jaguars as KU men host Butali with KU women facing Vikings.

Similarly, Kenya Police will host Wazalendo in their second match of the weekend as Greensharks battle it out with Strathmore University.