African Hocky Championship: day 4

Defending women’s champions Heartlands of Nigeria had a rude shock on match day 4 when Reformers of Ghana executed a perfect strategy to beat them 1-0. Heartlands went into the match as favorites but Reformers who have displayed the knack for wrecking parties at this championship took the turf and turned the Heartlands team inside out. Reformers could have won by more than one goal as they wasted countless chances including a penalty stroke during the first half. Incidentally, the only goal came from a penalty stroke converted by midfielder Georgina Sam in the 63rd minute after a Heartlands defender stopped a goal bound shot from a penalty corner on the line with her body.

Bayelsa Queens made light work of the Blue Eaglets with an emphatic 4-1 win. The Eaglets looked like finally lifting off from the nest when they pulled level in the 14th minute after going behind in the 3rd. This was however short-lived as the Queens went ahead again in the 20th and added another just before halftime. On resumption, the Queens added another goal to effectively confine the Eaglets to the nest.

Telkom Orange held their nerves against CEPS of Ghana to pull off a scoreless draw in their match. CEPS were unable to convert a penalty stroke as inspirational keeper Josephine Ataro forced Olivia Lartey to flick wide off her goalpost.

In the men’s matches, Sharkia kept their dream of the championship on track with a hard fought 3-2 win over Delta Flickers of Nigeria. This was one match that looked like slipping out of the hands of the defending champions as at the 43rd minute when they trailed 0-2 from field goals scored by Abra Kasa Sampson and Sunday Ogodogun in the 32nd and 43rd respectively. Like true champions however, Sharkia fought back strongly and redeemed a goal in the 45th minute through El Dinn Ahmed from a penalty corner. Mamoud Hosam pulled Sharkia level from open play on the hour and just when the match seemed to be heading for a draw, Sharkia dug deep into their rich reserves to clinch victory 5 minutes from the end with a well-taken goal by El Dinn Ahmed from open play.

In the other men’s matches, Police Union recovered from a 22nd minute goal to beat Exchequers of Ghana 3-1. The win keeps their hopes of a top 2 finish in the round-robin stage on track while Exchequers slip further away from contention.

Golden sticks glittered with a flattering 5-0 win over Yobe Desert Rollers with star performer Joseph Appiah hitting a hat-trick. Skilful Elikem Akaba and defender Jacob Sowah were the other scorers.

On match day 5, CEPS will take on the Bayelsa Queens, Heartlands will seek to rebound against Sharkia and Reformers will attempt to consolidate their position with a win over the Eaglets in the women’s competition.

In the men’s matches, Delta will seek to recover to push aside the other Egyptian opposition and Exchequers will work at rolling over the Yobe Desert Rollers while Sharkia face a stiff opposition from Golden Sticks of Ghana.