Lakers bounce back with win over Hippo as USIU-A open ACCC campaign in style
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 26.01.26. | 10:25
The Kisumu-based club had lost their opening match to defending champions Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)
Kenya’s representatives at the Africa Cup for Club Champions (ACCC) in Harare registered mixed, but encouraging results in the opening days of the continental tournament.
Lakers Hockey Club bounced back from an opening defeat to claim a commanding victory, while USIU-A announced their arrival with an impressive win in the men’s competition.
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Lakers began their women’s campaign on a difficult note, losing 2-0 to defending champions Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Despite a competitive first half, the Kenyan champions were unable to match GRA’s intensity in the closing stages.
Head coach Sheldon Ulisi attributed the defeat to fatigue.
“We had the match-up until mid-second quarter. Maybe fatigue had a lot to do with our slack performance in the third and fourth quarters. We expect better performances, and we are going for nothing but wins in our next matches,” said uLISI.
On the second day of competition, Lakers produced a dominant display to defeat Hippo Hockey Club of Zimbabwe 4-1, reigniting their campaign.
Milicent Adhiambo starred with a brace, while Alice Owiti and Debra Otieno added a goal each.
The victory kept Lakers firmly in contention in the four-team women’s pool, which also includes Bulawayo and GRA.
In the men’s competition, USIU-A convincingly opened their campaign with a 4-1 victory over Kampala Hockey Club of Uganda.
Goals from Brian Ogenche, Borris Lukorito, Lawrence Makhatsa and Robinson Omutekete sealed a confident performance for the Kenyan students, who are competing in a demanding Pool A alongside Egyptian giants Sharkia and Portfouad, School of Excellence (Namibia) and Kampala.
Coach John Kabuu was pleased with the opening result, but called for sharper finishing.
“Good start for the boys. We can only build from that. We need to be more clinical upfront in the forthcoming games,” said Kabuu.
The win gave USIU-A early momentum as they navigate one of the toughest groups in the tournament.
Both Kenyan sides face crucial fixtures as the group stages intensify.
Lakers will finish their round-robin matches against Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) on Monday, 26 January
USIU-A Sunday, take on Portfouad (Egypt) on Monday, 26 January.
They will then face SoEHC (Namibia) on Wednesday, 28 January, before closing their pool matches against Sharkia (Egypt) on Thursday, 29 January.
The top teams from the pools will progress to the classification and semi-final rounds scheduled for 30 and 31 January.
With Lakers now back on track and USIU-A off to a strong start, Kenyan hopes remain alive in both competitions.
For Lakers, consistency will be key in their bid to challenge women’s defending champions GRA, while USIU-A’s young squad will be tested against the experience and structure of Egypt’s top clubs.
As the ACCC enters its decisive phase, Kenya’s representatives will be aiming to convert promising early signs into sustained continental success.
