The timely return of Kenya Police's dependable defender Robert Masibo will help address the defensive frailties the law enforcers have faced recently, according to team captain Victor Wekesa.
The all-action defender returned on Tuesday from a professional stint in Germany and is available for selection against USIU-A Mashujaa on Sunday in the men's hockey Premier League match at the City Park Stadium.
Masibo scored a hat-trick in April as the former champions scalped Mombasa Sports Club 3-0. The former champions have been a pale shadow of their former selves, managing just two points in their last three fixtures.
Defensively, they have had to make do without the services of Masibo and Sammy Oungo-the latter a key cog in the Patrick Mugambi-tutored side for more than a decade.
He popped up with four goals prior to the setback. The 37-year-old Oungo fractured his finger against Wazalaendo on September 10 and is out for the foreseeable future.
"We are relieved now that Masibo is back. He brings stability and defensive solidity that has been lacking since our backline became depleted," Wekesa said.
He added: "We have struggled in the last couple of matches. The loss against Western Jaguars in Kakamega last weekend was an unjust result since we are not used to losing but we have to make amends. Mashujaa are not a walk in the park. We have to be at our best to return to winning ways."
Veteran striker Oliver Echenje is unavailable. Echenje is in Canada for the curling game. Curling is a sport in which players slide stones on a sheet of ice toward a target area which is segmented into four concentric circles. It is related to bowls, boules, and shuffleboard. Echenje will then proceed to Scotland.
Second-placed Police are nine points behind leaders Butali Warriors. Police have 24 points against Butali's 33 although they have played one game less.
