Defending champions Orange made a big splash into the women’s finals with a sound 7-0 thrashing of former champions Heartlands of Nigeria. Orange dominated all aspects of the game from the blowing of the starting whistle to the sound of the ending hooter. The well-oiled Orange machinery, combining a good mix of youthful agility and strategic experience of players, played constructive hockey for 70 minutes.
Heartlands were no pushovers, but they simply did not have an antidote to the fast passing game of the Kenyans who look good to retain their title. Heartlands will face compatriots Kada Queens to determine who puts the Bronze Medals around their necks on the flight back home.
GRA of Ghana, bounced back from their late deflation in their previous match to another Nigerian side, to notch a 1-0 victory over Kada Queens. The match failed to provide the excitement the thronging fans had anticipated but the result was satisfying for the visibly exhausted GRA Ladies who have a day of rest before the final match on Sunday.
The finalist in the men’s competition will be determined tomorrow in what is anticipated to be a busy schedule. Before then, Sharkia and Ghana Police will battle for 4th and 5th place in the women’s competition while Exchequers will seek to get back at a visibly wounded Sharkia team in the men’s classification match for 4th and 5th positions.
It then gets more interesting later in the afternoon as Butali Warriors of Kenya ‘pick their spears’ to do battle with the defending champions Eastern Company of Egypt in what promises to be fierce contest. After that, in the coolness of nightfall, comes the clash of the Policemen from Kenya and Ghana with the anticipation of fireworks that will light up the skies above the City Park area. Both clubs have played some really good hockey and set the stage for a mouthwatering encounter that the loyal fans should not miss.
