The defending gold medallists, from Gold Coast in 2018, were too quick and slick for the minnows making their Commonwealth Games debut in the Pool B clash at the University of Birmingham.
Kenya began their women’s hockey campaign at the Commonwealth Games with a 16-0 defeat to New Zealand on Friday 29 July 2022.
The defending gold medallists, from Gold Coast in 2018, were too quick and slick for the minnows making their Commonwealth Games debut in the Pool B clash at the University of Birmingham.
The game was paused midway through the second quarter with Kenyan defender Joan Maranda taking a reverse stick to the face in a horrific incident that left her screaming in pain.
She was eventually stretchered off to warm applause from the crowd, after a lengthy delay.
Maranda was taken to hospital for an x-ray but was sitting up in the stands after being carried from the turf.
Kenya never looked like taking the victory but their tenacity and enthusiasm won them respect and likely, many new fans, as evidenced by the crowd getting behind them in every second-half procession.