'This is our moment to change the game' – coach Wandera backs Kenya Hockey U21 to deliver at Junior Africa Cup
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Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 15.04.25. | 09:51
For Wandera and his charges, the mission is clear: to deliver results, raise the flag, and help reshape the future of Kenyan hockey
Kenya's Under 21 men’s and women’s hockey teams head to the 2024 Junior Africa Cup (JAC) in Windhoek, Namibia, with eyes firmly set on qualification for the FIH Junior World Cup.
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The tournament, which runs from Friday 18 to Sunday 27 April, brings together some of the continent’s most promising young sides, and for men's coach Richard Wandera, this is a crucial moment for Kenyan hockey.
Wandera, who has overseen the team’s build-up since last year, believes the long preparation period sparked by the tournament's postponement from September 2024 to April 2025 has provided the team with a solid foundation.
“This is our time to change the landscape of hockey in this country,” Wandera shared ahead of their departure to Namibia. "We’ve had sufficient time to prepare. The postponement from last year gave us a longer build-up phase.
Despite some academic disruptions, most of our players are university students, and we’ve found ways to stay consistent and focused.”
He noted that the extension allowed them to work consistently with the squad despite challenges posed by academic obligations. With a majority of the players being university students, balancing training with class schedules, exams, and internships has not been easy, but the team managed to navigate it through strategic weekend sessions and effective use of available time.
Kenya finds itself in Pool A alongside South Africa and hosts Namibia, following the withdrawal of Nigeria from the tournament. This development makes the margin for error razor-thin, as only the top teams will progress to the semifinals.
If the fixtures remain unchanged, Kenya’s campaign will begin against South Africa and end the group stage against Namibia.
Wandera acknowledges the challenge ahead, especially with a side like South Africa in their group. According to him, the South Africans have never found it easy against Kenya, and the team plans to use its athleticism and technical strengths to gain the upper hand.
Namibia, too, poses a serious threat, having prepared intensively since 2023 after missing the previous edition.
“South Africa is a top side, but we’ve always given them tough games. I believe they fear our speed and energy. Namibia, on the other hand, have had a long preparation period, but we’re going in with the mindset of winning every game.”
Confidence, however, remains high in the Kenyan camp. Wandera believes this squad has both the talent and the mindset to not only compete but also qualify. “This is an opportunity for every player and the entire technical bench to make an impact,” said Wandera.
“The boys are hungry. They’ve told us they believe they will qualify. We’ve taken lessons from past tournaments and used them to build a stronger squad.”
With players drawn from successful stints in secondary school and university competitions, Wandera feels the team is tactically ready and mentally focused. More than just competing, the coach sees this as a turning point for Kenyan hockey.
He views the Junior Africa Cup as an opportunity to transform the narrative around the sport in the country.
To him, qualification to the Junior World Cup is not only a dream but a realistic goal, and the experience of playing on such a global stage would significantly boost the sport’s profile and development back home. The team has learned from past tournaments, he says, and has used those lessons to shape a more prepared and resilient squad.
In addition to the players and coaching staff, Kenya will be well-represented on the officiating front. The African Hockey Federation named three Kenyan officials to serve in technical and umpiring roles at the tournament. Nancy Isegere will serve as a technical official, while Linah Barasa and Evason Liyayi will feature as national umpires.
A total of eight men’s teams were initially confirmed for the tournament: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Following Nigeria and Ghana’s withdrawal, six teams remain in contention. The women’s category will also feature six teams (Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) after Ghana withdrew from the competition
With only the top three teams in each category earning a direct ticket to the 2025 Junior World Cup, every game in Windhoek carries weight. For Wandera and his charges, the mission is clear: to deliver results, raise the flag, and help reshape the future of Kenyan hockey.
