TITLE HUNT HOTS UP: Simba beat Mombasa Sports Club to inch closer to play-offs

GEORGE MUTIRA-01: Nairobi Simba George Mutira (l) fight with Wazee player Eddy Odhiambo and for the ball during the Vaisakhi Tournament played at Citypark. Simba won 1-0. ON 20/04/14 PHOTO:JENIPHER WACGHIE

Nairobi Simba beat Mombasa Sports Club 3-1 to increase their chances of making it to the last four of the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men’s premier league.

Nairobi, who were recently stripped off second place following a successful appeal by Kisumu Simba, kept their heads high to secure three points.

Simba are also not a happy lot as they are being forced to play without key players George Mutira and Davis Wanangwe who are currently on suspension by KHU. Also missing was embattled Nelson Shihale who the club has been allegedly fielding without proper transfer from Strathmore University.

However, the 2012 champions will not allow their misfortunes to deter them from having a successful campaign this season. Nairobi team manager Kalpesh Solanki told FeverPitch that they are one match away from achieving their first goal.

“Our first goal at the beginning of the season was to secure a play-offs berth and we are one foot in, will work hard to maintain a clean sheet,” said Solanki.

Nairobi Simba went into the match with victory on their minds, playing on the offensive and looking for an early lead. Their efforts almost paid off in the second minute when Jaspreet Kalsi put MSC goalkeeper Caleb Simiyu on the test but Simiyu was up to the task. However, Wilson Otieno converted a penalty corner in the 17th minute.

SHAH CONVERTED

Otieno almost got another one two minutes later but Simiyu did well to save the day, as Shabaz Shah converted a short corner in the 35th minute to give Simba a 2-0 lead at the breather.

Coming into the second half, MSC had composed themselves, containing former champions and trying to score goals. Edwin Mahaga’s 40th minute shot missed the board to the relief of Nairobi’s long-serving goalkeeper Ajay Dosaja who was already beaten.

Haggai Pepela put his name on the score sheet in the 53rd minute through a field goal. Victor Gitahi scored MSC’s consolation goal in the 60th minute.

Nevertheless, the Coast-based players did not leave the city empty handed as they earned a point from a 1-1 draw against Kenya College of Accountancy University.  

Chris Wokila broke the deadlock in the 60th minute to give the students the lead in the 60th minute. Brian Karimi last minute goal denied the students the much needed victory.

In the women’s national league, Vikings trounced Multimedia University 4-0 to revive their hopes of remaining in the title race.

Vikings overcame the students despite fielding nine players only as other players failed to show up. After leading 3-0 by half-time, Vikings added a fourth goal in the second half to seal the three vital points.

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