Butali Warriors' striker Festus Onyango is glad to score on his debut in the men's Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Premier League match against Greensharks and he is already promising more.
The former Strathmore Gladiators captain, who joined Butali in the 2020 season before the Covid-19 enforced break led to hockey inactivity for two years, needed only eight minutes to open his account on Saturday in the 3-0 comprehensive win.
"I am relieved I scored on my debut and this will only uplift my confidence. I wasn't under pressure to score because I know the job of any striker is to be clinical."
He said: "Looking at the bigger picture, the result is more important than the individual effort. I look forward to helping the team retain the league."
Onyango scored four goals in the Olympic qualifiers in 2019. He has been consistent in the local league, scoring a minimum of 18 goals per season for Stathmore Gladiators between 2016 and 2019 before sealing his dream move to Butali.
He was part of the 2016 Gladiators title-winning team and was reunited with former Stratmore players at Butali. They include captain Constant Wakhura, George Mutira, and Tristin Karis.
Onyango, 25, cited the hunger to win trophies and the desire for a new challenge as the reasons behind his move.
He is expected to deliver consistently if he is to become a mainstay in the team with Butali boasting of a plethora of attackers.
Calvins Kanu, George Mutira, and Shamah Ademba are the other options with the latter also scoring against Greensharks.
"I have trained well, jelled with the team and I know what I am expected to deliver. We want to collect maximum points in all our matches and possibly win the league unbeaten."
The defending champions face bitter rivals Kenya Police this weekend. Onyango said in as much as fireworks are expected, Butali will approach the game like any other match. "There's no special attention needed to handle Police. We want results to do the talking for us."
