KHC Swans, Weatherhead give Wananchi sides title headaches
Wananchi forward Teopista Anyango has had a good season, one better than her last two, as the team’s creator in chief. Photo by Ismail Kezaala
KAMPALA- For the previous three seasons, Wananchi Ladies had the Uganda Baati Hockey League all but sealed by the end of the second round.
For the 2019 season, with 19 points out of a possible 24 they sit only four points above Kampala Hockey Club (KHC) Swans, who have made public their intention of winning the league in a year the club marks 10 years.
The difference does not necessarily mean that Wananchi’s powers are waning. KHC have in a way rode their luck but will argue that you create your own good fortune.
In the first round, Wananchi lost three points to Deliverance Church after they forfeited a league match so that their players could represent their school Kakungulu Memorial at the Kampala District Post Primary Schools Games qualifiers.
KHC also benefitted from a league committee decision to dock Weatherhead of three points for fielding an ineligible player in the first round encounter between the two rivals.
KHC have, however, made their intent to challenge clear in their encounters with Wananchi. The Swans lost the first encounter 3-2 but held the four time champions to a 1-all draw in the second round to keep up.
If both clubs have it their way, the league title might come down to the last meeting between the sides on November 30.
Men’s race
In stark contrast, the men’s title fight between leaders Weatherhead (32 points) and Wananchi (29 points) could have been settled in their third round meeting that was postponed from August 4 to a yet to be communicated date.
Both antagonists have proved to be a step ahead of the other five sides in the league but are separated by the 3-2 win Weatherhead achieved in the second round.
Timothy Ntumba and Thomas Opio have been the respective key protagonists for Weatherhead and Wananchi. Last year Opio beat Ntumba to the top scorers gong with 39 goals to 35.
Currently, Ntumba with 15 in 12 games leads Opio by just one goal.
The stats
Speaking goals, the men’s league has seen 232 goals scored in 42 games. An average of 5.52 goals per game. Wananchi, who are also the most disciplined side with seven green cards and one yellow, have scored 71 in just 12 games while Historicals are the division’s most leaky side shipping in 67.
For the ladies, Wananchi – inspired by top scorer Doreen Mbabazi with nine goals, remain dominant as they have scored 28 in eight games (3.5 per game on average).
Their rivals KHC Swans have ironically the meanest defence and most disciplined players having shipped in only five goals and four green cards respectively.
TOP SCORERS
WOMEN
Doreen Mbabazi (Wananchi) – 9
Mildred Amia (Wananchi) – 4
Lucky Akello (DCU) – 4
Norah Alum (Wananchi) – 4
MEN
Timothy Ntumba (Weatherhead) – 15 goals
Thomas Opio (Wananchi) – 14
Vincent Kasasa (Weatherhead) – 13
Innocent Mbabali (Wananchi) – 13
Samuel Mwesigwa (KHC Stallions) – 10
