Gold Cup: Kenya Police crowned championships after flooring Exchequers

The Kenya Police hockey team have clinched the 2022 edition of the Gold Cup after downing outgoing champions Exchequers of Ghana 2-1 at the Sikh Union Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Exchequers had clinched the title in 2019 on Kenyan soil but their bid to retain it was thwarted by Police who rallied from a goal down to dethrone them.

The visitors had taken the lead in the sixth minute through skipper and the tournament's top scorer Akaba Elikem who sounded the board for the seventh time after the defence failed to clear the ball.

Police recovered from the poor start and managed to level matters in the 23rd minute through Brian Saina who scored from a short corner. 

The match appeared destined for a draw but Titus Kimutai had other thoughts as his quick reaction in the area saw him score the decider with three minutes to the final whistle. 

Victory over Exchequers saw Police revenge the painful 4-1 defeat inflicted by the former in the opening game of the week-long tournament. USIU-A Mashujaa finished third after beating Strathmore University Gladiators 2-1.

Reacting to the victory, Police captain Victor Wanyama said the team managed to grind out the positive results courtesy of the strict adherence to the instructions from the Patrick Mugambi-led technical bench.

The defender revealed that the approach to keep the opponents at bay through committing numbers forward and pressing them hard in their half paid off.

"We didn't begin the tournament well but we resolved to fight for the title as a way of honouring the late President Mwai Kibaki. The match was tough but our tactics worked to fruition. We had been instructed to attack them through and through and they eventually cracked to pressure," he said.

His opposite number Akaba, rued tough luck for the loss. Further, he criticised the umpires for their open bias towards the hosts.

" We were unlucky especially in taking our chances. Again the umpires were grossly biased but I can't fault them entirely for the loss. We made mistakes which we have to rectify before our next league match back at home," he said.

Meanwhile, Exchequers head coach Richmond Attipo challenged his players to implement the hockey lessons they had picked in Nairobi in their domestic competition that resumes this weekend. 

"We came here to learn and I am hopeful that my players got something from the tournament. We need to be strong heading back to our league matches," he remarked.

Police assistant coach Kennedy Osikuku lauded the efforts of the players especially the experienced ones for the hard fought win.

"We began poorly but after recalling the experienced players we managed to sail all the way to the final. Credit goes to the players , the Police Service for availing everything we needed for the tournament," he said.