Strathmore University Scorpions lost 2-1 to Delta Queens
Kenyan teams had a morning to forget after tasting defeat in the ongoing Africa Cup for Club Champions on Friday. Kenya Police were no match to the Police Machine of Nigeria as the hosts lost 3-1 at Sikh Union to bow out of the tournament.
The recently crowned women’s league champions Strathmore University Scorpions were stung 2-1 by Delta Queens of Nigeria at City Park hockey Stadium.
Police who were bidding to overcome the Nigerian team and enhance their chances of jostling for gold in the decider had themselves to blame as the Patrick Mugambi coached side wasted clear cut chances and were not clinical in converting the short corners.
Machine took the lead in the 23rd minute through Sunday Orinya who tapped in the ball from close range after the Kenyan team failed to deal with an attack launched in their area.
The Nigerian team doubled its advantage in the 47th minute through Emmanuel Sunday who sounded the board in a well-worked field goal. The hosts halved the deficit in the 55th minute courtesy of veteran defender Samuel Oungo who struck from the spot after Machine’s goalkeeper brought Mathew Momanyi down.
Efforts by Police to stage a comeback were put off as Machine scored the third goal through Sunday who was a thorn in the flesh of the Kenyan side. Reacting to the defeat, Mugambi could not hide his frustration with the wasted chances and the general display that he noted was way below their potential.
“We were not clinical enough today. We failed to score from the numerous short corners. We got punished for the mistakes we made,” he remarked. Mugambi was backed by the club skipper Victor Wanyama who was quick to note that all the departments were not clicking in the four quarters.
At City Park, Scorpions failed to return to winning ways after falling to Delta. Heading into the game, Meshack Senge’s charges were looking to get back to winning ways after playing Ghana Army to a 1-1 draw on Thursday.
However, the students fell to a brace from Obukowho Faith who sounded the board through field goals. Melvin Muga got the consolation for the Kenyan side.
Meanwhile, Butali Warriors were handed a walkover as Kada Stars failed to show up. The reigning league champions were supposed to play Kada after the duel pitting Police against Machine.
Source: mozzartsports.co.ke | February 17, 2023
