Kenya Hockey's Rising Stars: Daikyo Heroes and UOE Panthers' epic climb to the Premier League

As the 2023 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) season comes to the final stretch, Daikyo Heroes and University of Eldoret (UOE) Panthers have already confirmed their spots in the KHU Premier League with two and three matches left to play respectively in the Super League.

The two teams gained promotion to the KHU Super League after meeting in the National League promotion playoffs in February 2023 with UoE Panthers winning in post-match shootouts after a 1-1 draw in regular time.

Founded in 2020 by Farhan Khan, Daikyo Heroes first played the KHU National League in the 2022 season and finished unbeaten to gain promotion to the Super League, it’s worth noting that the Mombasa-based team has lost only one match in the current season. Khan is also the current top scorer with 13 goals alongside Simon Adaka of Mombasa Sports Club.

Khan is pleased with the team's big achievement.

“Our team's clear chain of command has enabled us to win games we thought would be tall order to win. When approaching a tough opponent, we normally have an in-house meeting to plan how to play, so that during the game everyone understands the assignment,” Khan revealed.

Khan emphasized the importance of maintaining an open and supportive environment for the players. "On our future plan, I normally keep an open door to all my players so that they are assured all their issues are addressed in time and feel supported on and off the pitch and this is our long term plan," Khan affirmed, underlining the commitment to the well-being of the players both professionally and personally.

In a strategic move, Daikyo Heroes has enlisted the expertise of former international player Ibrahim Ochieng as the team's coach. This decision reflects a commitment to leveraging experience and knowledge from the highest levels of the sport to guide the team in their Premier League endeavors. Khan’s choice to bring in a coach with international playing experience demonstrates a dedication to raising the bar for the team's performance and development.

Khan spoke highly of the team's dynamics, citing their ability to adapt and step up to the level of opponents they face. "My team is very dynamic and will step up to the level of opponents they face; they have a strong spirit and willpower to succeed," Khan commented. This acknowledgment of the team's resilience and determination sets a positive tone as they transition into the more challenging Premier League. Teasing an air of mystery, Khan hinted at undisclosed "secret weapons" designed to ensure Daikyo Heroes excels in the Premier League.

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On the other hand, UOE Panthers' Head Coach, Emmanuel Kongin, talked about the team's strategic approach for the remaining Super League matches and their preparation for the impending challenge of the KHU Premier League. He outlined the team's straightforward yet effective strategy. "The strategy we have for the three remaining matches and the Premier League is to do what we have been doing and mostly taking a match at a time," said Kongin. This focus on maintaining consistency and thorough preparation aligns with the team's success in the Super League, where they currently boast an impressive 42 points with three matches left.

Reflecting on the team’s turning point in their Super League campaign, Kongin identified the first-leg encounter against Parklands Sports Club as the turning point.

"The turning point for us was our first leg match against Parklands Sports Club which we won 3-2," he revealed. Trailing 2-0 in the first half, UOE Panthers demonstrated resilience and determination, securing victory with a goal in the third quarter and two goals in the last quarter. Kongin marked this comeback as the moment when the team knew they were ready for the challenges of the Premier League.

However, Kongin also highlighted a significant challenge faced by the team, primarily stemming from the unpredictable nature of fixture scheduling by the Kenya Hockey Union. "The biggest challenge that we've had is the irregular and unpredictable nature of the fixtures from the Kenya Hockey Union," he explained. This unpredictability makes long-term planning challenging for the team, emphasizing the importance of maintaining fitness and readiness for matches, despite uncertainties surrounding the frequency of game opportunities.

Looking ahead to the Premier League, Kongin identified a crucial gap in the team's composition. "In terms of preparing for the Premier League, the biggest gap for us is that we have a number of players who have played top-level hockey for some time, and we also have new junior players," said Kongin. To bridge this gap, he detailed a comprehensive plan, aiming to ensure all players reach the same level. This involves signing new and experienced players with Premier League exposure to mentor and elevate the entire squad.

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Daikyo Heroes are the league leaders with 47 points in 20 matches and play UOE Panthers in their next match and finish the league with a match against Kenyatta University Vultures while UOE Panthers are second placed with 42 points in 19 matches played, the Eldoret-based team will finish the league with matches against Kenyatta University, Mombasa Sports Club, and Daikyo Heroes.