Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-01 14:57:40
After being absent from the Kenya Hockey Union Women’s Premier League for six years, Mombasa Sports Club (MSC) is set to make a comeback in the upcoming season. Having last participated in the top tier in 2017, MSC has been promoted to the Premier League with a game to spare in the Super League. Their last match of the 2023/24 campaign will be against Multimedia University on February 24. The conclusion of the KHU 2023/24 season is scheduled for February 25 at the City Park Hockey Stadium in Nairobi.
Relegated to the lower league in 2017, MSC fought its way back to the top tier with notable performances throughout the season. The Mombasa-based club is currently in second place in the standings with 43 points from 19 matches, trailing just behind leaders Sliders Hockey Club, who have amassed 53 points from 20 outings in the 11-team league. MSC secured their place in the Premier League with a convincing 3-0 win over Multimedia University and a thumping 4-1 victory against GHF Rift Pirates Ladies over the weekend.
Captain of the team, Angeline Oketch, expressed the club’s determination to make a resounding comeback to the top tier. She emphasized the hard work and sacrifice from the players that had earned them a place in the Premier League. Oketch credited the team’s coach, Charles Kambona, for his contribution and motivation, noting that he had been instrumental in guiding the team to achieve their objective this season. She also highlighted the financial challenges the team faced, often having to contribute money among themselves to be able to travel and honor fixtures.
Hockey in Kenya follows a promotion and relegation system at the end of each season. The top two teams in the Super League, in both genders, are promoted to the top tier, while the bottom two from the Premier League are relegated to the second tier. Currently, Dutch Flower Group Wolverines, Kenyatta University, and University of Nairobi are facing the threat of relegation to the women’s KHU Super League. On the men’s side, Daikyo Heroes and University of Eldoret (UoE) have already qualified for the Premier League, while Greensharks and Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCAU) will be competing in the lower tier next season.
The determination and hard work displayed by MSC in their journey to reclaim their place in the Premier League highlights the spirit and resilience of the team. Their upcoming participation in the top tier league brings hope and excitement for both the club and its fans, as they prepare to make their mark and compete at the highest level once again.
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