False start for Police as law enforcers fall to Exchequers in day one of Gold Cup

Former Kenyan Hockey Premier champions Kenya Police began their quest to clinch the Gold Cup Invitational Tournament on the wrong footing after bowing to Ghanaian side ExcheQuers 4-1 at the Sikh Union stadium on Saturday.

The tournament that is set to run up to next week is comprised of four teams with ExcheQuers being the only invited side the rest are drawn from the domestic league.

The visitors took the lead in the 13th minute through Quansah-Antobam Emmanuel who forced the ball past the line from a penalty corner.

Police responded in the 32nd minute through Oliver Echenje who leveled matters in a well worked on field goal.

However, ExcheQuers engaged an higher gear in the third and fourth quarter as they regained the lead hardly two minutes after conceding the equalizer through Akaba Elikem. 

Kemevom Selorm netted the third goal in the 44th minute through a field goal and would put the match beyond the reach of the overwhelmed hosts three minutes to the final whistle through Daniel Bempah.

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Earlier at the same venue, USIU-A Mashujaa prevailed over fellow students Strathmore University Gladiators in the opening game of the tournament by a sole goal. 

Skipper Samson Ratia settled the contest at the tail end of the second quarter after tapping in from a short corner. 

Despite the positive start, Mashujaa head coach John Kabuu cautioned his charges against dwelling on the game. Instead, he wants them to focus on the subsequent one against the Western Africa. 

"It's too early to celebrate. The real test comes tomorrow against ExcheQuers. We have to convert our chances if we are to humble them," he said.

His opposite number Meshack Senge castigated his charges for the colour-less show and challenged them to do better when they face Police on Sunday.

" That was some lucklustre performance as we played without our usual rhythm. It's a wake up call to the team but against police tomorrow, I expect the boys to show more desire. This tournament comes at the right time because our next league match is on May 29th, Kakamega, " said the former national team coach.