The national men’s hockey team has arrived in South Africa where they will be competing in the African qualifiers for next year’s Paris Olympics.
The team of 18 players includes many who have shone for their respective clubs in the ongoing Kenya Hockey Union Premier League, including Butali Warriors’ dangerman Festus Onyango who has so far top-scored for the table toppers with three goals in 12 matches.
The home boys will be keen to overcome the odds as they face Egypt, Zambia and Ghana in Pool B of the qualifiers — set for October 29-November 5.
Their last appearance at the international level — last year’s Africa Cup of Nations — ended on a whimper as they lost three matches to Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria while collecting a win against Namibia.