Tough openers

KAMPALA.

The pressure is on Kampala Hockey Club (KHC) sides Stallions (men) and Swans (women) to overcome their poor records against rivals Weatherhead and Wananchi respectively when the National Hockey League (NHL) begins today in Lugogo.
Stallions only win over Weatherhead in the last nine league matches, played over the past three years, came in last season’s fourth round dead rubber with only pride to play for.
“The times they have beaten us it has come down to the poor fitness in our side,” KHC coach Bernard Bwire said. Stallions have added fresher legs in Ashiraf Tumwesigye, from Weatherhead, and Benjamin Mkapa.

Fit and raring
“We have made strides with the younger boys and you could see at the Weatherhead Open (last weekend) that teams could not match us for fitness.
“However, we also made it to that final after scoring the least goals among all club sides so we hope our execution is better in the league,” he added. Weatherhead got “the right momentum going into the league,” according to captain Emmanuel Wabuyaka, when they won their own Open’s final 4-2 on penalties while Peter Elolu has mocked KHC for always turning up in Open tournaments but “failing to compete in league matches which are longer.”

Swans v Wananchi
Meanwhile KHC Swans have beaten two time champions Wananchi only once in the ladies’ league but are in disarray after midfielder Susan Khainza seceded with some of the girls – including former dependable Winnie Atim, Annet Awat and Vero Atima – to form Rhino.
“The challenge for us are the commitments the girls have outside hockey but if they show up, we are capable of being competitors,” said Swans’ coach Faustine Ojangole.
For the past seasons, Swans have been undone by the inconsistencies up front and at the back.
However, it looks like even their usually strong midfield will have to contend without Khainza, Helen Buteme, the injured Patricia Namubiru and Pauline Achom.
“Most of our girls had not played together since ACCC (Africa Cup of Club Championship) so the Weatherhead Open was an important preparation for us,” said Wananchi coach Innocent Mbabali.

STALLIONS - WEATHERHEAD
MEN’S RECORD 2015
July 27: KHC 3-3 Weatherhead
Sep 19: KHC 0-3 Weatherhead
Oct 31: KHC 1-3 Weatherhead
Nov 21: KHC 1-2 Weatherhead
2016
June 4: KHC 1-1 Weatherhead
July 23: KHC 3-4 Weatherhead
Sept 17: KHC 1-4 Weatherhead
Dec 10: KHC 3-2 Weatherhead
WOMEN - KHC SWANS V WANANCHI
2015
July 11: KHC 1-1 Wananchi
July 25: KHC 0-1 Wananchi
Oct 3: KHC 0-1 Wananchi
Oct 24: KHC 0-2 Wananchi
2016
July 3: KHC 1-2 Wananchi
Aug 7: KHC 1-2 Wananchi
Oct 2: KHC 3-2 Wananchi
Nov 27: KHC 1-5 Wananchi

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Today’s Fixtures
M: KHC Stallions vs. Weatherhead, 2pm
W: KHC Swans vs. Wananchi, 4pm