Telkom snap GRA to stay perfect in Accra

Defending champions Telkom Kenya went a step closer to securing a place in the Africa Cup for Club Championships as they edged bitter rivals Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) 1-0 on Wednesday in Accra.

Both teams went into the encounter on the back of perfect starts at the annual showpiece but it is the hosts that saw their winless streak snapped by the in-form Kenyans who are seeking a 10th continental crown.

Telkom thus shot to top of the pile on 12 points, three clear of GRA and Ghana Police who were 4-0 winners over Nigeria’s Yobe Desert Queens in the earlier fixture.

The record Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) winners will need just one point from their final group stage match against Ghana Police to seal a place in the final.

Telkom and GRA have enjoyed a bitter rivalry in the recent past although the Kenyans boast a slightly superior head to head record having dominated in each of their last five meetings.

GRA made the nine-time champions toil to earn the victory and had to wait until there were four minutes left on the clock before finding the breakthrough. The strike came through Teresiah Juma to take her side on the brink.

In another women’s match, Strathmore University Scorpions will be in the hunt for their first win when they take on Nigeria’s KADA Queens even though they are out of contention for a place in the finals.

In the men fixtures due later on Wednesday evening Nigeria’s Niger Flickers will settle it out with another West African side Police Machine of Ghana.

Another high profile match on the cards is an Egyptian derby that will pity defending champions Eastern Company Club against El Sharkia with both clubs joint at the top of the standings with seven points from three matches with the former sitting top due owing to their superior goal difference.