Unbeaten USIU-A face Kenya Police, Sikh Union test

USIU-A’s Joseph Baraka (15) attacks a corner kick during their Kenya Hockey Premier League men's match against Sailors at City Park Hockey Stadium in 2023. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) men will be out to extend their winning streak when they face off with former hockey Men’s Premier League champions Kenya Police and Nairobi Sikh Union this weekend.

Buoyed by last weekend’s 2-0 victory against defending champions Western Jaguars away at Eregi Teachers College, the John Kabuu-coached side will be out to down another big two as they chase their maiden trophy.

USIU-A had a good start to the season, thrashing Parklands 4-0 in the opener and Wazalendo Hockey Club 4-2 in their second encounter.

They are currently second on the standings with nine points, same as former holders Butali Warriors, who top the table. Both sides are yet to drop points, having won three out of three, but Warriors have a superior goal difference. The students will today take on the law enforcers who are struggling to find their footing.

Police have lost their last two encounters, 1-2 to Butali Warriors and 1-0 to Parklands Sports Club. They are fifth with three points from their 4-1 victory against Strathmore University Gladiators.

Tomorrow, USIU-A will clash with third-placed Sikh Union, who have six points from three outings. Sikh Union have won two matches and lost one to bitter rivals Butali Warriors.

Holders Jaguars will be hunting for their first victory when they lock horns with former winners Strathmore University Gladiators at their Eregi TTC home ground.

Jaguars, who launched their title defence with a defeat against USIU-A and a barren draw against Wazalendo last weekend, will be hoping to return to winning ways.

Fourth-placed Wazalendo will also be hoping to bag points that will move them up the standings.

They clash with bottom-placed KCA University today and Parklands Sports Club, who stunned Kenya Police last weekend tomorrow. Double victory would see them move into the top two. They currently have four points from a win, a draw and a loss. Parklands, on the other hand, are seventh, tied on three points with Police and the Gladiators.

In the Women’s Premier League title chase, USIU-A Spartans will be hoping to recover from their disappointing Kisumu outing last weekend.

Spartans, who began their campaign with a 1-0 win against Kenyatta University Titans and a 4-2 triumph over Twinkle Hockey Club, suffered a double defeat in Kisumu. They went down 1-2 to Kisumu Queens before succumbing to a 1-0 loss to Lakers Hockey Club.

Currently fifth on the standings with six points, a win against Sliders will see them move to fourth place. However, they will have to go all out to grab the points from Sliders, who will be seeking to register their second win. The Sliders have lost two and salvaged a point from their goalless draw against the Lakers.