Hockey: USIU-A target final as African Championship heats up

United States International University Africa (USIU-A) women's hockey coach John Kabuu is impressed with his team's performance in the ongoing Africa Cup for Clubs Championship at the Youth City Hockey Stadium in Port Said, Egypt.

The varsity side, making a return to the continental tournament after last competing in 2018 in Abuja, Nigeria—where they finished fourth—currently sit second in Pool "B" with six points from three matches. Egypt’s Smouha Club leads the standings with six points from two unbeaten matches.

On Monday, USIU-A suffered their first loss of the tournament, falling 1-0 to Smouha. Both teams still have a chance to qualify for the final if they win their remaining pool matches on Wednesday.

Kabuu emphasised the importance of winning their final group match against Nigeria’s Plateau Hockey Club on Wednesday to enhance their chances of topping the pool and securing a place in the final.

“I’m impressed with the ladies' performance so far, but we still have work to do. We want to play in the final. But we will have to win against Plateau and pray that Smouha falters against Mombasa Sports Club (MSC) for us to emerge winners in Pool 'B' and book a place in the final against the winners of Pool 'A',” said Kabuu.

Tuesday is a rest day, with Smouha set to take on MSC in the last Pool "B" match. Plateau and MSC both have one point, but the Nigerian side has a game in hand.

Kabuu also commented on the performance of the USIU-A men's team, which has struggled in the competition.

“The men’s team has not risen to the occasion, and on paper, they are out of the competition. However, we hope the lessons they have picked will help them in the Kenya Hockey Union Premier League. This was their first time at the championship, so their dismal performance can be excused,” he added.

USIU-A’s men’s team is currently bottom of Pool "B," winless after three matches. On Sunday, they lost 3-1 to Egypt’s Zamalek.

The tournament, which started on January 30 and runs until February 7, has attracted 10 men’s and 10 women’s teams from Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and hosts Egypt. Group winners in both categories will advance to the final.

MSC is second from the bottom in Pool "B" with one point from two matches.

In Pool "A," defending champions Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Egypt’s Sharkia are the favorites to finish in the top two, with both teams holding three points from one match each.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s other representatives in the men's category, Sikh Union Club, are second in Pool "B" with six points from three matches. On Monday, they lost 7-3 to Egypt’s Aircraft Factory Club, which now leads the standings with six points from two matches.

Last year’s silver medalists, Western Jaguars, who are in Pool "A," are currently third with one point from one match. They were scheduled to play Egypt’s Port Fouad later on Monday.