Jaguars eye maximum points as they launch title defence in Eregi

Reigning Kenya Hockey Union Men’s Premier League champions Western Jaguars will today begin their title defence against United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) at Eregi Teachers College, Vihiga County.

Jaguars will be hoping for a perfect start to the season as they seek to successfully defend their trophy. With six of their junior players having recently featured for Kenya at the Junior Africa Cup in Windhoek, Namibia, they are now ready for the league challenge. Tomorrow, they will take on Wazalendo in their second match.

Team coach Michael Malungu said that they need a good start to boost their defence campaign.

“Our aim is to begin well because in the league every win and every point counts. Our players were away for national duty and so this will be our first matches this season and we want to secure maximum points,” Malungu said.

He added that their aim is to have a good season and see the progress of upcoming players.

“Our main objective is to defend our title but we are looking at the growth of our young players as they transition from high school to senior ranks," said Malungu.

The 2023 national and East Africa Most Valuable Player (MVP) Isaac Wanjawa is among upcoming Jaguars players who are making steady progress in the league. He was also in the Under-21 team alongside teammates Brian Anzeze, Charles Ashiundu, Fred Ouma, Alex Kigaro and Hillary Angairwa. Anzeze a form two student was key in Musingu High School’s national games campaign and will be rubbing shoulders with the top players in the country thanks to his prowess in the game.

Former champions Kenya Police will be hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s 1-2 loss to Butali Warriors when they take on Parklands Sports Club and Nairobi Sikh Union. The law enforcers who are chasing the title that has eluded them for years will today play Parklands and Sikh Union tomorrow.

In other men’s matches, Sikh Union will clash with KCA University (KCA-U) at Dashmesh Stadium. They will be hoping to recover from a humiliating 2-6 defeat to Butali last weekend. A victory against Sikh Union will boost KCA-U’s confidence ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Strathmore University Gladiators.

In the women’s title chase, champions Blazers Hockey Club and United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Spartans will be in Kisumu for duels against Lakers Hockey Club and Kisumu Queens.

Record winners Blazers will renew rivalry with their hosts Lakers today while Kisumu Queens will entertain Spartans. The clash between Lakers and Blazers will rekindle their bitter rivalry.

Spartans will face off with Kisumu Queens and Lakers today and tomorrow. In Nairobi, Twinkle Hockey Club will play Mombasa Sports Club (MSC) Ladies at Kenyatta University Grounds. Tomorrow, MSC will play their second match at Dashmesh against Strathmore University Scorpions.