Malungu confident in Kenya's chances at Inaugural FIH Hockey 5's World Cup

As the countdown begins for the inaugural FIH Hockey 5's World Cup set to take place in Oman from January 24 to 31, Kenya's men's national hockey team, led by head coach Mike Malungu, is gearing up with high spirits and determination.

The Kenyan team secured their spot in the competition after finishing third in the World Cup qualifiers held in Ismailia, Egypt, from December 10 to 15, 2022.

Despite facing initial challenges, including forfeiting their first match against Zambia and losses to Nigeria and Egypt, the resilient Kenyan boys secured a commendable third-place finish.

In the bronze medal playoff, they beat Zambia 5-2, with standout performances from Bethuel Masambu, who scored a brace, along with Ivan Ludiali, Danstone Wabwire, and Brian Ogenche, each scoring a goal.

Coach Malungu expressed satisfaction with the team's preparation, highlighting their training under the best possible conditions since early December. Despite a brief break during the festive season, the team is back in action, ready to intensify their training as they approach the competition.

Malungu acknowledged the challenge of managing a squad with many student-athletes resuming school in January but remains optimistic about finalizing the squad soon.

"We have trained under the best possible conditions," Malungu stated. "Despite the team having many students who have resumed school in January, we expect to finalize our preparations as we head to the competition, and we expect to name the final squad soon."

Confident in his team's capabilities, Malungu has set ambitious goals for the tournament, aiming for a spot in the semi-finals.

Acknowledging the tough competition in their group, which includes powerhouse nations like Australia and New Zealand, Malungu emphasized the importance of a strong start, particularly in their first match against New Zealand.

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"We are in a very competitive group that has top-playing countries like Australia and New Zealand, but it’s the first edition of the competition, and we have to be competitive as we aim to get to the semi-finals," said Malungu. "

The tactician sees the Hockey 5's World Cup as a valuable opportunity for exposure and learning for his team. He believes that the tournament will serve as a crucial stepping stone, not only enhancing their skills but also contributing to the development of their 11-aside team.

Kenya finds themselves in Pool C, alongside cricketing giants Australia, New Zealand, and Trinidad & Tobago. The team's fixtures for the group stage are as follows:

28th January:

New Zealand vs Kenya (11:10 am EAT)

Trinidad & Tobago vs Kenya (5:50 pm EAT)

29th January:

Australia vs Kenya (12:00 noon EAT)

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