Ice Lions will be looking to bounce back stronger next weekend when they return to the ice after a 12–5 defeat to defending champions Frozen Flames in Monday’s league opener at Panari Ice Arena.
This comes as Kenya’s ice hockey season builds momentum toward the African Cup scheduled for June next year. The loss marked a tough start for the Lions in the 13-series campaign, which features ten regular games before a best-of-three playoff round.
The result, however, offered valuable lessons for both sides as the league pushes to raise competitive standards and strengthen Kenya’s national team prospects.
Kenya Federation of Ice Sports [Kefis] president Robert Opiyo said the opener reflected the sport’s continued growth and the progress being made by local teams. “This game was a good indicator of how far we’ve come,” Opiyo said.
“The players are developing better tactical awareness, and the level of organisation is improving. Every match this season contributes to building our readiness for the African Cup.”
Opiyo added that the federation is focusing on development pathways and sustainability beyond the season. “We are putting resources into developing young players while encouraging senior ones to transition into coaching after the season. Hockey Canada and Morocco have been supportive and are impressed with our growth,” he said.
“The biggest challenge remains equipment — most of it is donated, but the cost and time to ship it are high. We’re now working on sustainable local solutions."
The league resumes next weekend at Panari Ice Arena, where the Ice Lions will be keen to register their first win of the campaign, while Frozen Flames aim to extend their early advantage in the standings.
Ice Lions centre Dennis Lumumba said the team will use the defeat as a learning point ahead of their next outing. “We conceded too many goals, but we showed flashes of what we can do,” Mwaura said. “We need to improve our defensive structure and move the puck faster. The aim now is to respond with a win and build a rhythm in the next few games.”
His team-mate Chumba Nalikiza, who plays centre and is one of the few women featuring in the mixed squad, said she was encouraged by her performance despite the scoreline.
“We started panicked, but we eventually found our rhythm,” Nalikiza said. “I’ve learnt passing and wheeling back, and I applied it in this match. We never lose hope — I look forward to the day we beat them. We always show up for training, and this will work for us.”
Nalikiza added that she has set clear personal goals for the campaign. “I’m targeting four goals this season, starting with two in the next games,” she said. Frozen Flames, winger Carlos Otieno said the victory was a good start to their title defence but called for continued focus. “It was a solid opening game, but it’s only the beginning,” Otieno said.
“We want to stay disciplined, keep our shape defensively, and remain consistent through the regular season. The target is clear: to retain the title.”
