Kenya thump Zambia in Paris Olympics qualifiers opener

Caroline Guchu in action during the Olympics qualifiers against Zambia in South Africa.[South African Hockey Association]

Kenya national women's hockey team on Sunday kicked off their African Hockey Road to Paris 2024 qualifiers on the front foot after thrashing Zambia 4-0 in their opening Group B match in Pretoria, South Africa.

Blazers Hockey Club trio Flavian Mutiva, Lucy Wangeci and Maureen Okumu all scored to inspire Kenya to victory.

Mutiva who netted a brace said after the match that they had prepared well for this year's game.

"This time round it was amazing for the team as we received a lot of support in preparations which has gone a long way to help the team settle early and in time. I believe that we can build on this win going forward to achieve our target," said Mutiva, the Player of the Match.

Kenya are in Group B alongside Ghana, Namibia and Zambia. Group A comprises Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

With the winners joining France, Australia, Netherlands, India and China in securing direct qualification to the Olympic Games next year, Kenya will surely hope thelong forgotten golden mojo returns to aide them.

While the women's team have never qualified for the Olympics games, the last time Kenya played at the global games was in 1988 when the national men's team finished last in Seoul, South Korea.

The men's and women's teams that win the tournament will seal their berths to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

The team that finishes as the runner-up in the men's competition will get a second opportunity to qualify for the Olympics, at the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024.