Jaguars are set to play Ghana’s Exchequers at 3:00 pm
Kenyan hockey champions Butali Warriors have their calculators ready! This is after the sugarmen beat Egypt’s Zamalek 2-0 in their final group A match of the ongoing Africa Cup for Club Champions tournament at Sikh Union on Saturday morning.
A field goal from Moses Ademba and a successful conversion from a short corner by Rana Suhail were enough to give Butali a win over Zamalek who finished third in the group.
The win took Zack Aura‘s charges to the summit of the group with thirteen points and an equal number of goals. For Butali to seal a place in the final scheduled to be played on Sunday at the same venue, they have to finish top of the group.
Standing between them and a place in the final is the outcome of the game between Ghanaian side Exchequers who are set to play the Kakamega-based Western Jaguars at 3:00 pm.
Exchequers who are unbeaten just like Butali, are placed second with ten points and have fourteen goals against their name. Should the visiting team beat Jaguars, they will advance to the final at the expense of Butali who will have to contend with playing the playoff against the first runner up of group B.
If Jaguars frustrate Exchequers, then Butali will be assured of playing the decider that will pit them against the top team from group B.
Aura, regretted that the 2-2 draw against Exchequers dour days ago, has come back to haunt them as they find themselves on their knees praying for Jaguars to perform a miracle that will certainly benefit them.
“I am really proud of my boys for the spirited performance they put in against Zamalek. We should have won by a bigger margin from the chances created. Truth be told, the draw against Exchequers is a threat to our march to the final. Hopefully, Jaguars will do us a favour,” said the former Kenyan international.
Much as they lost the opportunity to battle for a medal by virtue of finishing third in the group, Zamalek midfielder Amr Elhady said the team picked up valuable lessons from the tournament.
“We had a chance of finishing in the top two bracket but sadly, we lost to Butali. Obviously, we are disappointed with the results but at least, we have managed to learn a thing or two from the tournament. It was well organised,” he said.
Meanwhile, the clash between Kenyan teams that are participating in the tournament in the women’s category; Strathmore University Scorpions and Lakers ended in favour of the latter who won the duel by a solitary goal.
Pauline Atieno settled the contest after sounding the boards in the 37th minute through a field goal.
Earlier on at Sikh Union, Kenya Police finished their group stage matches on a sour note after bowing 3-0 to Ghana Rwve.
Source: mozzartsports.co.ke | February 18, 2023
