Butali Sugar Warriors secure bronze as Sharkia clinch Africa Cup for Club Champions

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HOCKEY Butali Sugar Warriors secure bronze as Sharkia clinch Africa Cup for Club Champions

Abigael Wafula 15:41 - 19.02.2023

Sharkia of Egypt emerged as champions after edging out Exchequers of Ghana to the title. They won 4-2.

Butali Sugar Warriors Team Manager Kamal Sembi has said the team really expected to raise the trophy at the Africa Cup for Club Champions but unfortunately had to settle for third place.

The Sugar Millers had a great start during the championship and their hopes of clinching the coveted title were in sight but they had to settle for bronze after failing to gunner enough points.

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Their third-place playoff match of the international show was against Police Machine of Nigeria at the Sikh Union where they won 3-2 courtesy of Rana Suhail, Calvin Kanu, and Festus Onyango.

“I would consider our third-place finish as falling short of our target. We came here knowing we had to win but the unfortunate happened," said the Team Manager. 

Sembi added that the match was a tough one and revealed that he was impressed by the fighting spirit of the team.

“I congratulate the boys for fighting hard…it was a do-or-die affair. The team has reassured me that we are warriors. I have also noted that going forward, we need to take their chances because if we keep missing them, we shall be punished,” he added.

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On matters concerning the team’s fitness levels, Sembi revealed that they had quite a short time to prepare for the event after the conclusion of the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) league.

“I wish we had more time to prepare…at least a month,” he said.

He added that going forward, focus now shifts to the 2023 KHU season as they look to retain their title.