Senge relying on vast experience as trump card in Afcon duty

The Kenya national hockey team head coach Meshack Senge is counting on his experience as he prepares to guide his charges in the upcoming African Cup of Nations finals slated for October 22-29 in Ismalia, Egypt.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Senge who doubles up as Strathmore University tactician said, “I have been the coach for 10 years. I got to understand their (our opponents) philosophy, and above that we’ve also scouted on their latest matches as we try to work on how to counter their tactics,” said Senge.

Both men and women teams have been training for the last three months at City Park , culminating in the naming of a squad of 37 players(19 men and 18 women) for the upcoming assignment. The team jets out on October 20.

And with less than two weeks before the team’s departure, Senge revealed that they are now polishing their grey areas ahead of the competition.

“We are now working on the finer details such as set pieces and set plays, and a little bit of game management .After that, I believe we will be good to go,” Senge added.

With the champions in the continental showpiece earning a ticket to represent Africa in the next year’s World Cup, Senge is confident that they have what it takes to grace the global showpiece.

“Our target is to make the qualification mark; two teams are qualifying and we intend to be in the finals,and finish in the top two because we know the expectations on our shoulders.”

Kenya is set to face other five nations including hosts Egypt, Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana.

The biennial continental tournament was earlier scheduled to be held in South Africa before the Africa Hockey Federation (AfHF) awarded the hosting rights to Egypt.

Report by Gilbert Kiprotich