National hockey teams have intensified their training ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for October in Ismailia, Egypt.
Coaches Meshack Senge (women) and Mike Malungu (men) say their target is not just to participate but to make an impression.
Senge, who is in charge of the women’s team, said he’s following a comprehensive training programme designed to make sure the players can cope with the pressures that come with international competition.
“We have a 17-week training programme to enable us to grow together. Some of the areas we are focusing on include how to win back the ball, progress from defence to attack, and how to create a strong team understanding,” Senge said.
Senge revealed they will trim the current squad of 35 players down to 25 before settling on the final 18 with two travelling reserves. “The dilemma at the moment is having everyone in training. As you know, most of them are in school and can only come in when their schedules allow.
Some have exams or club commitments, but we’re casting the net wide in search of the best team.”
Senge stressed the importance of data and tactical discipline in choosing his final team.
“We score players based on their attendance, ability to press forward, and their understanding of the team. "If a player improves, they earn their spot. We want players who can execute under pressure,” he went on.
He also emphasised the team’s structure and balance. “We work within a satellite training framework in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa as this allows us to maximise fairness and select the best team," he noted.
Meanwhile, Malungu is putting a strong emphasis on integrating under-21 players alongside his veteran team.
“We’re trying to balance their clubs’ routines with the national team’s demands, as many players can only join us a few days each month. We’re making the most of that time together,” Malungu said.
He insisted their main responsibility is developing a team that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
“We want to put our best foot forward and improve our ranking. Our aim is not just to make up the numbers; we want to be competitive and redeem ourselves after our last performance in Pretoria.” Malungu said.
He cited the dilapidated City Park Stadium as one of their biggest challenges. “We have no control over that, but we’re looking forward to acclimatising ourselves to whatever we find in Ismailia. The rest is up to us,” he concluded.
