SIMBA ROAR: Kenyan side edge Ghana Revenue Authority to book a finals slot

Hockey GRA CUSTOMS VS SIKH UNION NAIROBI
Ghana Revenue Authority Customs goal Keeper Emmanuel Arorful blocks the ball as Sikh Union Nairobi player Victor Sowah strugles to score when they played Vaisakhi International Tournament at City Park. Sikh won 3-2. ON 25/04/15 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Nairobi Simba sealed their place in the finals of the 2015 Vaisakhi Hockey tournament after a hard fought 3-2 win over Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in a semi final match played at City Park Stadium yesterday.

It was sweet revenge for the Kenyan club who lost to GRA 2-1 at the same stage in last year's edition. Simba skipper Amit Rajput told FeverPitch that his team played well and they are ready to take on any side in the final in their quest for the crown.

"It was a tough game but we played well and gave them (GRA) a run for their money. It was important for us to get the win after they bundled us out in last year's event," Rajput said.

The defeat means the West African side, who were making their third appearance at the event, will have to wait for at least another year to win their maiden Vaisakhi title. Last year, they lost out to Tanzanian outfit Moshi CCL in the final. 

GRA, which was the only foreign side at this year' event, will today take on the loser of the second semi-final which was played later yesterday between Kenya Police and Chase Sailors in the third place playoff.

GRA coach James Manson complained of poor officiating.

"It is shocking that we have been subjected to such levels of officiating, my players gave their all but were frustrated by the officials. We suffered the same fate last year and it is discouraging to the players and our sponsors," he said.

Simba took the lead in the 32nd minute through Shabaz Shah's field goal. They doubled the lead after the break when veteran player Inderjit Matharu fired home the second in the 51st minute after being set up by Asif Shan who beat three GRA defenders.

GRA pulled a goal three minutes later through Nick Hanson's field goal after been put through by winger Kwasi Assah to get his team back in the game. However, Simba went further ahead in the 59th minute with Jaspreet Kalsi shot that beat GRA keeper Emmanuel Arokrful.

The visitors scored their second of the game through a penalty flick that was converted by Charles Moses after Eden Frimpong was fouled by Haggai Pepela. GRA were unable to get the equaliser as Simba held out to seal a place in today's final.

The women's final will be between bitter rivals Telkom Orange, the tournament's defending champions and Strathmore Scorpions. Orange, who beat Scorpions 7-0 in last year's final to claim the title, will be out to retain the crown.

The two sides qualified for the final after routing the national under 16 women's team, Simbarettes 10-0 and 5-0 respectively. The women's competition attracted only three teams. The winners of both the men and women's final will receive Sh35,000 while the runners up will pocket Sh15,000.