ACCC 34M-25W – Blazers and Lakers drown rivals in Africa Club Championship

    Blazers Hockey Club and Lakers Hockey Club continued with their dominance at the ongoing maiden 2023 Africa Cup for Club Champions Tournament (ACCC) after picking their second wins in in Blantyre, Malawi on Monday. Blazers who begun the tournament last Saturday with a 13-1 win saw off Scorpions from Malawi 14-0. Caroline Guchu and Barbara Simiyu each scored a hat trick in the match as Eleanor Chebet, Maureen Okumu and Flavian Mutiva each netted a brace. Lilian Aura and Beverlyne Akoth rounded off the win for Blazers who move joint top on seven points same as Lakers Hockey Club. Lakers are however top on goal difference after scoring 27 goals and conceding none in three matches. On Monday, the Kisumu-based outfit thrashed Capital Braves from Malawi 15-0 at the National Hockey Stadium to pick their second win in the 10-day tournament being played in a round-robin format.   Lakers captain Alice Owiti gave the Kenyan outfit a dream start after converting a penalty corner inside the opening four minutes before making it 2-0 two minutes later with a well taken field goal. Former Kenya national team captain Gilly Okumu, signed temporarily from Amira Sailors, made it 3-0 in the 10th minute before reigning KHU Premier League MVP Aurelia Opondo and Lynn Mumbi made sure Lakers took a healthy 5-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Owiti completed her hat-trick in the 15th minute to stretch the scores to 6-0 before passing the scoring mantle to Debra Achieng, who scored a quick brace for a 8-0 half time lead. In the final half, Agneta Nafula joined the party in the 33rd minute to make it 9-0. Okumu bagged her second three minutes later before Achieng completed her hat-trick, her maiden in the continental arena as Lakers led 11-0 at the end of the third quarter. Pauline Ochieng and Elizabeth Awuor made it 13-0 with 10 minutes left on the clock before Mumbi stretched it to 14-0 in the 55th minute. Okumu, who won the 2022 KHU Women’s Premier League title with Strathmore University Scorpions, completed her hat-trick, her second in the tournament to round off the scores. Okumu has now scored seven goals in two matches to lead Lakers’ top goal scoring charts. Mumbi and Owiti follow with six goals and five goals respectively. On Saturday, Okumu scored four goals as Lakers showed no signs of fatigue despite covering 2, 228km by bus from Nairobi to Malawi. They defeated Scorpions of Malawi 12-0. Lynn Mumbi also scored four goals in the match as captain Owiti netted a brace. Aurelia Opondo and Yvette Kanyandong sealed the win. Lakers’ only draw in the tournament came on Sunday when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Blazers Hockey Club. In February, Lakers drew 1-1 against Blazers when they debuted at the delayed 2022 event. Lakers’ only win against Blazers was in May when they stunned the record Kenyan champions 1-0 at Kisumu Day High School in the Kenya Hockey Union Premier League match. Blazers also began the tournament with a 13-1 win over Genetrix as Western Jaguars saw off Scorpions men 9-0. Lakers will play defending champions Ghana Revenue Authority on Tuesday from 10am. Source: standardmedia.co.ke | November 21, 2023

    Lakers celebrate after beating Strathmore University during Africa Cup For Club Champions at City Park Hockey Stadium last February.

    ACCC 34M-25W – Kisumu Lakers hammer Capital Braves 15-0 to continue Africa Club Championship dominance

      Lakers Hockey Club continued with their dominance at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup for Club Champions Tournament (ACCC) on Monday after thrashing Capital Braves from Malawi 15-0 at the National Hockey Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi. The win saw the Kisumu County side scored 27 goals in two matches as they seek a maiden title in the 10-day tournament being played in round-robin. Lakers captain Alice Owiti gave the Kenyan outfit a dream start after converting a penalty corner inside the opening four minutes before making it 2-0 two minutes later with a well taken field goal. Former Kenya national team captain Gilly Okumu signed temporarily from Amira Sailors made it 3-0 in the 10th minute before reigning KHU Premier League MVP Aurelia Opondo and Lynn Mumbi made sure Lakers took a healthy 5-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Owiti completed her hat trick in the 15th minute to stretch the scores to 6-0 before passing the scoring mantle to Debra Achieng who scored a quick brace for a 8-0 half time lead. In the final half, Agneta Nafula joined the party in the 33rd minute to make it 9-0. Okumu made it a brace three minutes later before Achieng completed her hat trick, her maiden in the continental arena as Lakers led 11-0 at the end of the third quarter. Pauline Ochieng and Elizabeth Awuor made it 13-0 with 10 minutes left on the clock before Mumbi stretched it to 14-0 in the 55th minute. Okumu who won the 2022 KHU Women’s Premier League title with Strathmore University Scorpions completed her hat trick, her second in the tournament to round off the scores. Okumu now has scored seven goals in two matches to lead Laker’s top goal scoring charts. Mumbi and Owiti follow with six goals and five goals respectively. On Saturday, Okumu scored four goals as Lakers showed no signs of fatigue despite travelling 2227.6 kilometers by bus from Nairobi to Malawi to win 12-0 against Scorpions of Malawi. Lynn Mumbi also scored four goals in the match as captain Owiti netted a brace. Aurelia Opondo and Yvette Kanyandong sealed the win. Laker’s only draw in the tournament came on Sunday when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Blazers Hockey Club. Lakers being led by Owiti could not sound the bar in the four quarters as they drew for the second consecutive time in the continental event. In February, Lakers drew 1-1 against Blazers when they debuted at the delayed 2022 event. Source: standardmedia.co.ke | November 20, 2023

      ACCC 34M-25W – Poor start for Malawi teams at Africa tourney

        Malawi teams endured a bad start to the Africa Cup for Club Champions (ACCC) at the National Hockey Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday. On the opening day, four local sides lost to foreign sides, with Genetrix Men beating fellow Malawian side Parachute Battalion 8-1. However, the four local teams that lost on the opening day are convinced that they will get valuable international exposure as the country is hosting the showpiece for the first time. On the opening day, Kenya’s Western Jaguars beat Malawi’s Scorpions Men 9-0. In the ladies’ division, Delta Queens of Nigeria beat Malawi’s Capital Braves Ladies 17-0 whereas Genetrix Women lost 13-1 to Blazers of Kenya. In another match, Scorpions Women lost 0-12 to Kenya’s Lakers. Speaking on behalf of the local sides, Scorpions Coach Alex Mpasa said they would learn from their international counterparts. “Such things happen. We are not very worried with the defeats because this is the first time we are playing in an international competition. This event has given us a platform on which to gain international experience.  “Nevertheless, we can pull surprises or better results in our next fixtures,” Mpasa said. Hockey Association of Malawi (Ham) President Wanthaza Mughogho said the competition has attracted top sides from the continent. “The results are normal in hockey and we look forward to upcoming games,” Mughogho said. He said it is a dream come true for Malawi to host the tournament. “The day is finally here. We have waited for this day [of hosting an international tournament] for too long,” Mughogho said Meanwhile, 17 men’s and women’s teams from six countries are taking part in the tournament, which winds up on November 26. This follows the withdrawal of Police Machines of Nigeria. In a letter to Africa Hockey Federation (AfHF) and Ham, Nigeria Hockey Federation General Secretary Chinedu Usuoha said that they have withdrawn after being recalled to duty. “We write to inform you that Police Machines are officially withdrawing from the championship in Malawi. This is due to their recall to duty by the government following the nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, which has now resulted in their inability to obtain funds for the trip despite earlier assurances,” Usuoha indicates in the letter. Sources: times.mw | November 20, 2023

        ACCC 34M-25W – Local rivals Lakers and Blazers draw blanks as Africa Club Champions enters day two

          Lakers Hockey Club were held to a 0-0 draw by Blazers Hockey Club on Sunday evening as the 2023 Africa Cup for Club Champions Tournament (ACCC) entered day two in Blantyre, Malawi. The Kisumu based hockey team begun the 10-day tournament being played at the National Hockey Stadium with a statement 12-0 win over Malawi’s Scorpions.  Gilly Okumu and Lynn Tamunai scored four goals each as captain Alice Owiti netted a brace.  Aurelia Opondo and Yvette Kanyandong sealed the win. However, against Blazers, Lakers being led by Owiti could not sound the bar in the four quarters as they drew for the second consecutive time in the continental event. In February, Lakers drew 1-1 against Blazers when they debuted at the delayed 2022 event. Laker’s only win against Blazers came in May when they stunned the record Kenyan champions 1-0 at Kisumu Day High School in the Kenya Hockey Union Premier League match. The draw leaves both teams tied on four points after two matches. Blazers thrashed thrashed Genetrix Hockey Club from Malawi 13-1 on Saturday during their opening match. Kenyan internationals Eleanor Chebet and Maureen Okumu each scored a hat trick to lead the former champions to victory. Lilian Aura added a brace as Purity Odinga, Teresa Juma, Joan Anjao, Audrey Omaido and Barbra Simiyu also joined in the goal fest. Margret Munthali netted Genetrix’s consolation goal. Source: standardmedia.co.ke | November 19, 2023

          ACCC 34M-25W – Kenya’s Blazers, Lakers and Western Jaguars pick big wins in ACCC opener

            Kenyan clubs begun their 2023 Africa Cup for Club Champions Tournament (ACCC) on a high note after picking up big wins as the 10-day tournament kicked off on Saturday in Blantyre, Malawi. Despite the long travel by road from Nairobi to Malawi by Western Jaguars and Lakers Hockey Club, the two clubs showed no signs of fatigue as they blistered their opponents with ease. Ironically, the government through the Ministry of Sports opted to sponsor Blazers Hockey Club who jetted in Malawi via a flight.  Western Jaguars saw off Scorpions of Malawi 9-0 in their opening match. Emmanuel Wiswa scored five goals for Jaguars. Wiswa sounded the bar in the 11th, 13th,43rd, 56th and 57th minutes respectively while Sheldon Kimtai bagged a brace in the 55th and 59th minutes. Bethuel Masambu and Calistus Muyale sealed the win with a goal each. The men’s matches will be played in Round-Robin just as the women’s after the Africa Hockey Federation reviewed the fixtures with other teams pulling hout. After neutralising Scorpions, Jaguars will play Egypt’s Sharkia, Malawi’s Genetrix, Kampala from Uganda, Police Machine from Nigeria and Parachute Battalion. In the women’s category, it was the same story as Blazers thrashed Genetrix Hockey Club from Malawi 13-1. Kenyan internationals Eleanor Chebet and Maureen Okumu each scored a hat trick to lead the former champions to victory. Lilian Aura added a brace as Purity Odinga, Teresa Juma, Joan Anjao, Audrey Omaido and Barbra Simiyu also joined in the goal fest. Margret Munthali netted Genetrix’s consolation goal. Lakers Hockey Club on the other hand hammered Scorpions 12. Gilly Okumu and Lynn Tamunai scored four goals each as captain Alice Owiti netted a brace. Aurelia Opondo and Yvette Kanyandong sealed the win. Source: standardmedia.co.ke | November 19, 2023

            ACCC 34M-25W – Delta Queens suffer defeat to Ghana in Malawi at Africa Club Hockey Championships

              After humiliating the host, Capital Braves of Malawi, 17-0 in the first match at the ongoing 2023 Africa Club Hockey Championships, Nigeria’s representative Delta Queens Hockey team, suffered a 3-4 defeat to their West African neighbour, Ghana, today. The championship began on a high note on Saturday with the Asaba-based team teaching the host country some bitter lessons of hockey, racing a 9-0 victory in the first half and adding another 8-0 scores in the second stanza. The failure of Kaduna State male and female teams to make it to Blantyre, Malawi, forced the orgarnisers to reshuffle the fixtures. The Lakers of Kenya had a 12-0 victory over the Scorpions of Malawi in the other Women’s game on Saturday, just as Blazers, also of Kenya handed a 13-1 defeat to Genetric of Malawi. The game between Nigeria and Ghana today, provided the fans the real fun of hockey, with Delta Queens falling behind 1-2 in the first half. Faith Obukowho scored for Delta Queens. But the coach Ade Jacobs-led Delta Queens Hockey team rediscovered their redeem early in the second half, with Obukowho scoring to bring the game to 2-2, with 15 minutes to play. The Ghanaians fought back and took the lead 3-2, but Delta Queens’ Benedicta Johnson struck to level at 3-3. Just when the fans had concluded that the game will end in a draw, the Ghanaians were awarded what an official of Delta Queens described as controversial penalty in the last minute. Ghana scored to win at 4-3. The defeat notwithstanding, Delta Queens is eying a podium finish in the championship, which will end on November 26. Today is rest day for the Asaba-based side. Delta Queens left Lagos for Blantyre on Wednesday with 18 players, three coaches and other team officials. Source: guardian.ng | November 19, 2023

              Fixtures and Technical Panel: Africa Cup for Club Champions [ACCC] (34th Men – 25th Women Editions) | 18-26 November 2023 (Blantyre, Malawi)

                Africa Cup for Club Champions [ACCC] 34th Men & 25th Women Editions | 18-26 November 2023 in Blantyre – Malawi 14 Participating Clubs from 6 Countries: Egypt | Kenya | Nigeria | Malawi | Ghana | Uganda MEN Sharkia – Egypt Western Jaguars – Kenya Police Machine – Nigeria Genetrix – Malawi Scorpions – Malawi Parachute Battalion – Malawi Kampala – Uganda WOMEN Lakers – Kenya Blazers – Kenya Delta Queens – Nigeria Ghana Revenue Authority GRA – Ghana Genetrix – Malawi Scorpions – Malawi 7. Capital Braves – Malawi

                Watch.Hockey “FIH+” Pass: one week left to benefit from the Early Bird discount!

                  November 13, 2023 Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and NAGRA KUDELSKI announced on 31 October the launch of a new era in Watch.Hockey with the lifting of geo-blocking* and an FIH+ Pass, which enables access to thrilling FIH events – FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers for Paris 2024, FIH Hockey Pro League Season 5, FIH Hockey5s World Cup, FIH Hockey Junior World Cups, FIH Hockey Nations Cup -, all in one place! There is one week left – until 20 November – to benefit from an Early Bird discount of up to 25%! You can secure your FIH+ pass directly through the Watch.Hockey app or via the website here. *except on the Indian sub-continent #HockeyInvites #HockeyEquals For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please consult FIH.hockey, follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and download the Watch.Hockey app.

                  FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers: who plays whom in the group stage?

                    7th November 2023 Lausanne, Switzerland: Following yesterday’s announcement about the teams allocated to their respective venues, please find hereafter the composition of the Pools (A and B) for each FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier: Women Valencia, Spain Pool A: Belgium, Korea, Ireland, Ukraine Pool B: Great Britain, Spain, Canada, Malaysia Ranchi, India Pool A: Germany, Japan, Chile, Czech Republic Pool B: India, New Zealand, United States, Italy Men Valencia, Spain Pool A: Belgium, Ireland, Japan, Ukraine Pool B: Spain, Korea, Austria, Egypt Muscat, Oman  Pool A: Great Britain, Malaysia, Pakistan, China Pool B: Germany, New Zealand, Canada, Chile The top-3 men’s and women’s teams from each venue will qualify for the Olympics based on their classification at the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024. After the round robin matches in the pool stage, the top two teams in each pool will qualify for the semi-finals. The winning semi-finalists will be assured of a top-2 finish and qualify for the Olympic Games, while the losing semi-finalists will play the bronze medal match with the winner of that match also securing their ticket to Paris 2024. The FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 will be played between 13-21 January 2024. Please visit Olympics.Hockey for more details about the qualifiers, as well as hockey at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. #EnrouteToParis #HockeyInvites #HockeyEquals For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please consult FIH.hockey, follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and download the Watch.Hockey app.

                    FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Malaysia 2023: One month to go!

                      7 November 2023 Lausanne, Switzerland: We are just one month away from the start of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Malaysia 2023 as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia gears up to welcome the global hockey family and put on a great show! The 16 teams chasing glory are eager to get going, show their impressive skills on the world stage and etch their names in the history books. Meanwhile the hosts have pulled out all the stops to ensure the players have a tournament to remember for a lifetime. The fans, local and global alike, are ready to cheer for the next generation of hockey’s rising stars who are primed for a breakout! The 16 teams that have qualified for the event have been placed into their respective pools. Pool A features the defending champions Argentina taking on continental rivals Chile along with hosts Malaysia and former champions Australia, who are back in the event after missing out on the 2021 edition due to issues related to the pandemic. Pool B pits together two medalists from the 2021 edition of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, silver medalists Germany and bronze medalists France, along with the pair of African teams in Egypt and South Africa. Pool C will see a mixture of playing styles on display with Canada and India, known for their counter-attacking hockey, taking on Korea, who rely on building off the back of a structurally solid defence and Spain, who are masters of the possession game. Pool D features multiple powerhouses of hockey in Belgium, Netherlands, New Zealand and Pakistan. Outside of Pakistan, none of the teams in Pool D have ever won the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, while Pakistan themselves haven’t finished at the top of the podium places since the inaugural edition of the event, back in 1979! All 4 teams will be hungry to change their fortunes and grab the gold medal in Kuala Lumpur next month! The World Cup begins in one month on 5 December with 12 teams in action on opening day! Pool B action between France and Egypt will get the tournament underway at 09:00 local time on the opening day. Germany vs South Africa, Spain vs Canada, Argentina vs Australia and India vs Korea will follow the opening match. Hosts Malaysia will take on Chile in the final encounter of the opening day, with the hopes of making a perfect start in front of their passionate home fans. To see the full match schedule, click here. Malaysia has a rich relationship with the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cups, having hosted the event on three occasions in the past. The cities of Kuala Lumpur (1982), Ipoh (1989) and Johor Bahru (2009) hosted the second, fourth and ninth editions of the event respectively. The 13th edition of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup will see Kuala Lumpur play hosts once again, 41 years since the event was last held in Malaysia’s capital city. As the popularity of Hockey continues to rise in Malaysia, the country will once again welcome the hockey world, in what promises to be another spectacular edition of the biennial event that starts off exactly one month from today! Relive all the magical action from the previous edition of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2021, on the “Explore section” of the Watch.Hockey app! Find out more about the home team Malaysia and how they are banking on the emotions of playing in front of their passionate home fans to produce their best ever finish, by clicking here. For more details on the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Malaysia 2023, please click here. #RisingStars #HockeyEquals #HockeyInvites For more information about FIH and hockey in general, please download the Watch.Hockey app or follow the FIH social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and website.