Four-way pressure as KHU men's, women's league title races reach decisive stretch

The race for the 2025 Kenya Hockey Union Premier League titles has reached fever pitch, as the country’s top clubs enter the final month of competition with both the men’s and women’s championships still finely poised.

With just a handful of matches left, USIU-A, Butali Warriors, Lakers, and Blazers remain the strongest contenders, each holding a realistic shot at lifting the trophy but facing pressure-filled run-ins.

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In the men’s league, USIU-A sit top of the standings with 29 points from 12 matches, a position built on nine wins, two draws, and just one defeat.

Their impressive goal difference of 25, the highest in the league.

Butali Warriors follow closely behind in second place with 29 points from 13 games, having won nine, drawn two and lost two.

Their goal difference of 19 ensures that they remain firmly in the chase with five matches left.

USIU-A coach John Kabuu attributes their rise to consistency, experience, and the team’s ability to retain key players after years of struggling with turnover.

“If you think about it, we have stayed in the league for a very long time. In as much as we have never won it, we have been there for a very long time,” said Kabuu. “One of the things that has been a challenge is the attrition rate, for the first time the university has introduced scholarships for masters programs, therefore we are able to retain seasoned players for a longer time as they pursue their masters.”

©Alvin Wesonga

Kabuu highlights the impact of retaining the likes of defender Andrew Memo and goalkeeper Samuel Silong - voted the best goalkeeper in Africa, as well as strengthening their attack with recruits such as Danstone Wabwire and Brian Ogenche.

That depth has helped polish their finishing, an area that historically denied them wins and left them with frequent draws.

USIU-A, however, are not without concerns ahead of their final six matches.

Kabuu identifies penalty corner efficiency as the next major step, noting that their current conversion rate sits at around 45 percent.

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“If we can get to a penalty corner success conversion rate of 80%, that will be a guarantee that we’ll win this championship,” he said, adding that the team must remain clinical in high-pressure moments.

Their biggest test of the second leg comes this weekend when they host second-placed Butali Warriors on Saturday, 22 November at 4pm, a fixture that could tilt the championship picture significantly.

Butali’s team manager Kamal Sembi acknowledges the tightness of the run-in and points to training challenges as a major hurdle.

“Training attendance has been a challenge - getting quorum, work commitments, training ground,” admitted Sembi. “We aim to win the remaining matches, avoid conceding, and put some work on penalty corners especially now that the playing surface is tricky for all teams.”

Despite the obstacles, Sembi maintains optimism, crediting his squad’s work ethic and mentality.

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“We must continue working hard and give it 100 percent. It is all about dedication, passion, and commitment,” he added.

While the men’s title battle remains narrow, the women’s league offers an equally compelling storyline.

Lakers top the standings with 30 points from 13 matches, having won nine, drawn three, and lost once.

Defending champions Blazers, however, remain unbeaten and trail by five points but with two matches in hand - 25 points from 11 games.

©Alvin Wesonga

For Lakers coach Austine Tuju, their season has been built on a combination of mental discipline and strategic adaptation.

“Focus and determination are our key anchor this season. Currently, we have a much wider player base compared to previous leagues,” said Tuju.

With Blazers still enjoying the advantage of experience and depth, Lakers have introduced additional support systems, including leveraging senior players and technical officers to strengthen player conditioning and match readiness.

Tuju also revealed that due to financial constraints, the club rarely holds general in-person training sessions, resorting instead to structured online training schedules and task-based programmes.

“This allows a more relaxed approach to fatigue management,” he explained.

However, Tuju was candid about what could unlock their title ambitions: financial support.

“Ours is simple, full financial support and facilitation for our weekly general training costs for the next six weeks, and this premier league championship title debate will be a done deal,” he said, calling on corporates or individuals to step in and support their pursuit of a long-awaited championship.

©Alvin Wesonga

Blazers, who face USIU-A women on Saturday at 2pm, have seven matches left compared to Lakers’ five, placing them in a favourable position if they maintain their unbeaten record.

Lakers, on their part, host Amira Sailors on Sunday, 23 November, in a must-win fixture to keep their grip on the top spot.

With both titles still up for grabs, the next fixtures come with heightened stakes.

USIU-A’s showdown with Butali in the men’s league may set the tone for the final stretch, while the Blazers vs USIU-A women clash will determine whether the reigning giants can close the gap on Lakers.

Each of the four title contenders faces a stern mental and tactical examination as the league enters its defining phase.