Butali Warriors have the opportunity to claim their first points of the season when they take on Greensharks in a Kenya Hockey Union men's Premier League match at the City Park Stadium on Saturday.
The Constant Wakhura-captained side are the defending champions but meet a Sharks side buoyed by their 3-1 win over Park Road Badgers.
Greensharks lost twice to Butali in the 2019 season (2-1 and 4-2) but captain Victor Osiche dared Butali to underrate them.
"Butali know what we are capable of so they should be prepared for a grueling afternoon. We aren't pushovers and the players are psyched up," Osiche said.
In Kalvins Kanu, Festus Onyango and George Mutira, Butali have a fearsome attack that can dismantle rival defences at will. United States International University USIU-A Mashujaa take on Wazalendo.
Mashujaa coach John Kabuu said they will capitalise on Wazalendo's weaknesses to bag maximum points.
The students have registered two consecutive draws against Sailors (1-1) and Strathmore Gladiators (2-2). Mashujaa rallied from 2-0 down to claim a point against Strathmore in the last quarter, with the gaffer convinced of the team's improved mentality.
Wazalendo, on the other hand, got a reality check against Kenya Police. They lost 3-0 to the law enforcers but must get their act together to return to winning ways.
"We watched Wazalendo play Police and we will focus on their flaws. It is a derby match and we play for three points. Scoring was our problem and we have worked on it," Kabuu said.
"There's maturity in our game. The boys are always focused even after falling behind."
On Sunday, record champions Blazers entertain USIU-A Spartans. Both sides beat Sliders 3-0 and 2-0 respectively but Blazers title defence will be under the spotlight with the students' high-octane style of play likely to suffocate the nine-time African Club champions.
Strathmore Scorpions will be craving for their second win of the season as they square it out with Wolverines.
