Telkom Kenya set up repeat final with Ghanaian rivals

Telkom’s perfect run at the Africa Cup for Club Championships crumbled Thursday at the hands of Ghana Police but the 1-1 draw was enough for the champions to secure a place in the final.

The Kenyans took the lead at the half-hour mark thanks to Audrey Omaido’s strike but were pegged back in the 48th minute when Nefisatu Umaru scored the leveller at the Theodosiah Okoh Hockey Stadium in Accra.

It was only the first time Telkom had conceded at the continental showpiece and it came courtesy of a player in sensational form. That goal marked Umaru’s eighth in the competition as she remained in pole position to clinch the golden stick.

The result meant Telkom ended top of the round robin phase on 13 points but spelled a devastating consequence for Ghana Police who finished third behind compatriots Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Both finished with 10 points but GRA’s superior goal difference means they set up a mouth-watering repeat final with Telkom.

GRA were held to a goalless stalemate by another West African side KADA Queens in their fifth and last league phase match and will face Telkom for the second time in two years.

The Ghanaians will be desperate to avenge their 2-0 defeat to Telkom last year in Kenya and will have home advantage to help fuel their quest.

Later on, a bottom of the table clash will pity another Kenyan side Strathmore University Scorpions against Nigeria’s Yobe Desert Queens as both teams strive for their first victory in the annual competition.

In the men’s category, Egyptian champions El Sharkia who currently top the standings with 10 points have already secured a berth in the finals after edging out the defending champions and compatriots Eastern Company Club on Wednesday.

The defending champions Eastern Company club will be looking to bounce back after losing 4-2 to their compatriots and will need a win in their last match against hosts Police Machine to create an Egyptian derby final.

Four matches have been earmarked for Friday which is also the penultimate day of the competition where the fifth and sixth, third and fourth ranked teams both in the men and women categories will settle it out before the curtains fall on Saturday with both the men and women finals.

The Jos-Openda led team will now have a rest day on Friday before taking on GRA a side that will be out for revenge as well as the first title for host nation Ghana who have never won in the past.