Butali Warriors must remain focused and maintain their standards against Kenya Police in the final match of the men's Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Premier League clash at the City Park Stadium on Sunday.
Team Manager Victor Opere said despite successfully defending the league title with a game to spare, the sugar millers must also attain their objective of finishing the season unbeaten.
The Constant Wakhura-captained side remain the meanest defence in the men's top tier having conceded a meagre 13 goals, one less than their rivals Police who have shipped in 14 in 17 matches.
Striker Festus Onyango is also certain to bag the 'Golden boot' award after his exploits in front of goal yielded 16 goals—four more than his closest challenger. This is Onyango's first season with Butali even though he joined in 2020 from Strathmore Gladiators.
"The 2-2 all draw in the first leg is fresh in our memory and we don't want to see a repeat of that," Opere warned.
"We threw away a 2-0 lead and allowed our opponents back into the game in the last quarter after a lapse in concentration. Our dominance needs to be backed by a bulletproof mentality and see the game to the end."
The pressure is on Police to secure the remaining Africa Championship slot and must beat the reigning champions because a draw will still dampen their ambitions by virtue of Western Jaguars' superior goal difference.
"Pressure to win is always there for both sides. It will be a tragedy to lose against Police considering they are our fiercest rivals and we haven't lost a match all season. We need to beat them convincingly to appease our adoring fans," Opere added.
In another match, Sailors take on USIU-A Mashujaa in a mid-table meeting on Saturday. Both sides have 20 points but Sailors have a better goal difference to stay sixth.
In the women's league, champions Strathmore Scorpions settle scores with Wolverines, who are guaranteed safety irrespective of the outcome.
Mvita square it out with Kisumu Youngstars as Kenyatta University battle Sikh Union at the Dashmesh Stadium along Forest Road, Nairobi, in the men's Super League.
