Roundup: Kenyan supremacy in club hockey underlined by Africa success

Kenyan clubs dominated the just concluded Africa Cup of Club Championship in Hockey held at Nairobi City Park where local giants Telkom Orange celebrated a record ninth women's crown and the fifth in succession.

Kenya Police missed the chance to seal the domestic double when they suffered a heartbreaking loss on penalty flicks to defending champions Eastern Company of Egypt.

Butali Sugar Warriors who were making their debut at the continental championship won the bronze for men with Sliders, the other Kenyan women's side the only local team that failed to qualify from the group stages.

Such strong showing at their home tournament crowned by the imperious Orange who maintained their status as African queens has reignited interest in a sport that has endured flagging international fortunes since the 1980s when Kenya used to feature at the Olympics.

It was the third time Kenya hosted the continental club showpiece that was meant to be held in Zimbabwe late last year before the latter pulled out meaning the main protagonists will meet again later this year for the 2017 edition.

Jacqueline Wangechi and Nekesa Juma sounded the boards either side of the break to clinch Orange their fifth title in a row in the final played on Sunday after overcoming resurgent side Ghana Revenue Authority 2-0 in the final.

The champions showed their intent to hold on to the crown and extend their record when they buried their Nigerian archrivals Heartland 7-0 in the semi-finals.

It was their first meeting since 2014 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe where the Kenyans ran out 3-1 winners.

Against Kenya Revenue Authority, the home girls were wary of the threat posed by star forward Elizabeth Opoku who came to the final as the second-leading scorer on seven.

Head coach Jos Openda came up with a strategy to stifle Opoku that worked to give the Kenyans glory.

"We had studied her game especially the way she employs many tricks with the ball and diminishing her influence in the game was the key to victory," the elated Openda said on Monday.

As his team celebrated a landmark victory that stretched their record in Africa, their countrymen Kenya Police came within a shootout of claiming a maiden continental trophy to sugar-coat their local dominance.

However, the Egyptians displayed nerves of steel in the face of a vociferous home support to edge the contest 3-2 on post-match flicks when the tie ended scoreless.

Mahmoud Aboutaleb, Ahmed Amir and Ibrahim Amr were on target with Ahmed Elnaggar Ahmed missing with the Kenyans sinking to defeat when Calvins Kanu and Robert Masibo failed to convert.

"The loss on penalties is tough but being in the final is a big step for us," Police captain Brian Saina said ruing the chances they missed to secure the result in regulation time.

"It was a tough match and I give credit to them for pushing us all the way. Our only goal was to retain the title," Eastern defender Mohammed Ramy said amid the celebrations.

Earlier on Butali defeated Ghana Police 3-0 in the men third place playoffs for the men's bronze as Nigeria's Kada Queens beat Heartland 4-2 in the corresponding women's game to finish third. Endit