Too good Telkom rules the airwaves in Ghana

Hockey giants Telkom made it three wins in a row after brushing aside Nigeria’s KADA Queens 3-0 on Monday in the ongoing Africa Cup for Club Championships that entered day three at the Theodosiah Okoh Stadium in Accra, Ghana.

The defending champions are now on course for a 10th continental crown after registering wins over Yobe Desert Queens of Nigeria whom they thrashed 5-0 in their first match on Saturday before edging out local rivals Strathmore University Scorpions by a solitary goal on Sunday.

The Kenya Hockey Union Premier League champions opened the scoring charts in the 17th minute through Maureen Okumu before the sensational Lucy Wangechi doubled the lead in the 43rd minute to take her goal tally in the tournament to five goals. Wangechi had bagged four goals in the opening match.

Skipper Tracy Karanja sealed the emphatic victory by claiming the third goal with four minutes left on the clock to ensure the nine-time champions continued with a perfect record in the competition where they have scored nine goals without conceding.

Although Telkom head coach Jos Openda is optimistic of reaching the finals set for Saturday, he has warned his charges that “there is still a lot to do” as they go up against host clubs.

Telkom will meet GRA women and Police Club, all from Ghana.

“We now have three games to go including the final. We have the two Ghanaian teams to face and I think that is where the tournament begins,” said Openda.

Despite the impressive goal scoring record, the veteran coach maintains there is still lethargy in the face of goal and wants his charges to be ruthless.

“We are missing too many chances and that’s one of the areas we are going to work on tomorrow (Tuesday) before we resume our final round of matches,” added Openda.

The record 20-time KHU Premier League champions will now face last year’s finalist Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Wednesday before facing Police Club of Ghana on Friday, which will also be their last group stage match.

According to club captain Tracy Karanja, the two matches come at an opportune time as they have already adapted to the climatic conditions of the host city.

“We have been sharpening our skills and we have also adapted to the climate her, most importantly, we have been studying them. We are thus ready to counter anything they throw on us,” Tracy said.

The Jos Openda-led side is now topping the standings with nine points, three ahead of Ghana’s GRA women.

Another Kenyan side, Strathmore University Scorpions, who are already out of contention, are due to face Ghana’s Police Club later on Monday evening.