Kenya Hockey Union Premier League side Lakers are still on course to winning the African Cup of Club Champions title after beating counterparts Strathmore University 1-0 in a tense fixture played at the City Park on Saturday.
Atieno Ochieng's field goal in the 37th minute was the difference between the two teams and are now on ten points alongside Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Delta Queens of Nigeria.
GRA however lead the standings with a better goal difference at nine , Deketa are second with a goal difference of six against Lakers and Army who have a goal diffrence of five goals each.
Earlier on former champions Blazers lost 1-0 to Delta Queens thereby bowing out of the race.
Lakers will take on Delta Queens with GRA taking on Strathmore University.
“We were underdogs prior to the event but I’m happy that we shook off the tag and now we are in the race for the title. I hope that our effort will attract a sponsor since we intend to participate in the next edition,” said John Paul, Delta Queens Team Manager.
“We have struggled to get here as far as the finances are concerned but we are happy that our efforts have paid off,” he added.
In the men’s competition, reigning Premier League champions Butali Sugar’s chances of lifting the coverted African crown went up in smoke after their compatriots Western Jaguar fell 3-2 to Exchequer of Ghana in the final match of the day.
Butali Sugar had enhanced their chances of playing in the final of ongoing African Cup for Clubs Champions after beating Zamalek of Egypt 2-0 in their last Pool “A” match at the Sikh Union, Nairobi.
Moses Ademba opened scores in the 8th minute for the homeside before Rana Raiz’s 48th minute beauty sent them top of Pool A.
Exchequers will now face Egyptian side Shakra on Sunday afternoon in what promises to be a cracker.
Exchequers’ coach Richmond Attipoe says his team’s mindset has helped them reach their second ever ACCC final.
He said,” From the word go it was all about the mindset. We knew we are going to face very tough opponents but we showed that we can match them, we enjoyed every moment and that is the spirit we are going to take to the final match.”
His Western Jaguar counterpart Kuboka Nalungu says the team has learnt valuable lessons in this tournament and will try qualify for the December showpiece to be held in Malawi.