Champions Blazers, USIU-A Mashujaa maintain top spots

**Amira Sailors Hockey team during Kenya Hockey Premier League Women match against Blazers at Dasmesh Stadium, Sikh Union Club, on June 8, 2025.** [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Reigning Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) women’s Premier League champions Blazers Hockey Club remained at the summit of the table as the first leg of the 2025 season ended at the weekend.

However, former men’s champions Butali Warriors failed to dislodge United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Mashujaa from the men’s Premier League top spot after losing 1-2 to holders Western Jaguar.

Victory for Warriors against Jaguars would have seen them top the table with 24 points, but the defeat condemned them to second place with 21.

Warriors, who are looking to reclaim the title they lost to Jaguars last season, have lost three matches hence dropping six points out of the possible 27.

Warriors had earlier suffered a shock 1-6 defeat to USIU-A.

Mashujaa, who are eying their maiden title, have secured 22 points from seven wins, a draw and a loss.

They dropped five points in a 3-2 defeat to 2012 champions Nairobi Sikh Union and a 2-2 draw against struggling former winners Kenya Police.

Jaguars, who had a slow start to the season, have steadily moved up the table and are third with 18 points.

Having begun their title defence campaign with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to USIU-A, Jaguars improved to win five matches, drawn three and lost one.

Against Butali, they rallied from a goal down to score two goals and bag maximum points from the duel.

Festus Onyango had given Warriors the lead in the 13th minute, a lead they enjoyed until the 24th minute when Derrick Juma converted a penalty corner to restore parity.

The game was dull from there on, with no side succeeding in their quest to break the opponent’s defence.

Ivan Ludiali ensured that Jaguars, who had played to a 3-3 draw against KCA University on Saturday, did not drop more points with a winning goal seconds to the final whistle.

Jaguars coach Michael Malungu said he still requires consistency and focus from his charges.

“We have improved over time despite having a slow start and can build on our third-place finish in the second leg though we need to be more consistent and focused,” Malungu said.

Sikh Union are fourth with 15 points while Wazalendo Hockey Club, who dropped five points at the weekend in a 2-3 loss to Butali and 1-1 draw to Strathmore University Gladiators, complete the top five with 13 points.

Blazers top the women’s table with 21 points, they have not lost a match and only dropped points three draws. Lakers Hockey Club are second with 18 points, three more than third-placed Kisumu Queens.