BRING ON BLAZERS

Lakers unfazed ahead of Blazers tie, bullish Tuju affirms

Lakers, who also face Wolverines on Sunday are second with 17 points—eight shy of the table toppers and champions in waiting Scorpions.

In Summary

• Fourth placed USIU-A Spartans will look to arrest their five-match winless streak as red-hot Scorpions lie in wait. 

•"Blazers' bulletproof mentality has made the nine-time African Club champions a dominant force but their inconsistency lately gives Lakers an edge coupled with the home advantage," —Tuju.

Blazers' Eleanor Chebet in action for the national team during a friendly match against Ghana.
Blazers' Eleanor Chebet in action for the national team during a friendly match against Ghana.
Image: /FILE

Lakers women's hockey team coach Austin Tuju says they have nothing to fear when they confront record champions Blazers on Saturday in their Premier League encounter in Kisumu.

Tuju said while Blazers are an experienced side, his charges have what it takes to claim maximum points.

"Blazers' bulletproof mentality has made the nine-time African Club champions a dominant force but their inconsistency lately gives Lakers an edge coupled with the home advantage," he noted.

Tuju said: "Anything less than a win will compromise our position in the league. We, however, can't take them lightly going by their accomplishments.

"This is the right time to tackle them because they look unconvincing and have relinquished the title to Strathmore Scorpions. So maybe the tide is changing." 

Lakers, who also face Wolverines on Sunday are second with 17 points—eight shy of the table toppers and champions in waiting Scorpions. The Blazers are third although they have played a game less than their opponents.

Fourth-placed USIU-A Spartans will look to arrest their five-match winless streak as red-hot Scorpions lie in wait. Scorpions won the reverse fixture 2-1 inflicting Spartans their first loss of the season.

In the men's cadre, defending champions Butali Warriors face Mashujaa. Butali will make do without Zack Aura, who is out of the country for work-related commitments.

"It's going to be a mouth-watering clash. Mashujaa are a good team but being in the business end of the season, we can't afford to drop points. We know our work is cut out but the lads are fired up. We would like to maintain the seven-point gap we have opened at the top," Butali team manager Victor Opere pointed out.

A win for the sugar millers will put them firmly on course for their fourth title in a row with three matches to go.

Tail-enders Mombasa Sports Club-with one win thus far, lock horns with Sailors and Wazalendo respectively in Nairobi.

The league returnees have found the going tough with a meagre four points. MSC drew with Wazalendo 1-1 but lost 1-0 to Sailors.