Western Jaguars stun Butali Warriors in matchday one of the KHU men’s Premier League

The 2023 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men’s Premier League first runners up Western Jaguars beat defending champions Butali Warriors 4-2 in their first match of the 2024 season at the Dashmesh Hockey Stadium.

Jaguars took the lead in the 9th minute with a field goal by Olando Ouma and Moses Muigai doubled up the scores in the 28th minute of the match through a penalty corner.

Butali however struck back through a penalty corner that was scored by the talisman Festus Onyango in the 36th minute.

Jaguars were awarded a penalty stroke at the end of the third quarter, and Emmanuel Awino slotted it past goalkeeper Eugene Sifuna to give the Kakamega-based side a two-goal advantage in the match.

A field goal from Moses Ademba in the 49th minute wasn’t enough to give Butali a win as Awino completed his brace in the 58th minute through a penalty corner to give Western Jaguars a comfortable 4-2 win.

Speaking to Mike Malungu, the Western Jaguars Coach, he emphasized the tactical discipline and mental preparedness of his team.

"We were tactically disciplined and the players were able to stay in our structural plan. We also knew how to manage the game, the players knew how to finish play and take the chances they got well. We were also well prepared mentally for this match," said Malungu. "The one leg format of the league is very tricky, but we plan to treat it like a tournament with the seriousness that it comes with. We will take one match at a time and ensure we get this home."

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On the other hand, Zack Aura, the Butali Warriors’ coach, pointed out missed opportunities and the team's ongoing transition as key factors in their loss.

"The main factor that made us lose today was that our players didn't take their chances. We had more chances than our opponents, and they utilized their chances. Another key point that affected our performance today is that we are rebuilding the team, and we can't play like we used to play because we are doing away with the older generation and trying it out with a younger generation, and this takes time," said Aura.

Discussing the adjustments needed moving forward, Aura said that the team needs to work on how we utilize their chances.

“We need to work on our penalty corners because we have players who can finish the job, but we really need to work on it. We also have to make the team gel together because we have two sections of players who are in Kisumu while the others are in Nairobi, so we have to find ways to train together like we used to do. We also have a number of new signings who haven't fit in well in our style of play, and these are the few things we have to work on before our next match and the rest of the remaining matches."

In women’s premier league defending champions Blazers were held to a barren draw by Sliders.

Saturday Results:

PLM: Butali Warriors 2-4 Western Jaguars

PLW: Sliders 0-0 Blazers

SLM: Greensharks 2-0 Wazalendo Masters, MSC 0-1 Mvita XI

SLW: Mwiki 0-3 Wazalendo Pearls, Twinkle 2-0 Black Tigress

NLM: Black Tigers 0-3 Daystar University, GHF Blue Pirates 1-2 Western Jaguars Dev, Kisii University 2-4 Kisii Falcons, Parkroad Tigers 1-0 Gorillas, Impala 5-0 Karate Axiom