Sharks fired-up for Wazalendo clash as league enters homestretch

With Butali Sugar Warriors on course to retaining the men’s hockey league title, the fight for the runners up spot is gaining momentum as the league enters the homestretch.

Run-away leaders Warriors currently top the standings with 36 points, seven points ahead of second-placed Wazalendo as Greensharks occupy the third spot with 23 points with all the three teams having played 14 matches.

Wazalendo will host Sharks on Wednesday in a mid-week clash at the City Park in what is expected to be a battle of titans with a second-place finish at stake – both sides having conceded the title is out of their reach.

The two teams coincidentally met in the opening match of the season where Sharks lost 3-0 to Wazalendo and according to Sharks head coach Ben Owaga, they are out for sweet revenge.

“I cannot talk much about the opening game because we had not gotten the grip on the league then, a lot has changed. I know Wazalendo is a good side but we are ready for the match,” Owaga told Citizen Digital.

Former champions Kenya Police (on 22 points )and ranked fourth and fifth-placed Western Jaguars (21) are also in contention for the second spot which guarantees direct entry to next year’s Africa Cup for Club Championships.

After Wazalendo’s clash, Sharks will take on Nairobi Simba, thereafter face-off with Police before winding up the season with a mouth-watering clash against champions Warriors.

Owaga is however calm as the season enters the final stages.

“For me, I think I love challenges. The season has been good for us although the title is out of our reach. We dropped unnecessary points along the way but that is part of the game,” said an upbeat Owaga.

Even as tough competition at the summit of the league takes shape, the fight for survival at the bottom of the league is also taking centre stage with Parklands (7), Nairobi Simba (9) and Strathmore University (10) locked in the red zone.