Kenya national women’s hockey team captain Rhoda Kuira says they are ready for the Commonwealth Games’ following the group draws announced on Wednesday.
Kenya, who play in the quadrennial games for the first time, have been placed in the group of death (Pool ‘B’), alongside Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, and seasoned rivals South Africa.
Australia are second in the Federation of International Hockey rankings while New Zealand are sixth. South Africa ( 16th), and Scotland ( 22nd) are all ranked above Kenya ( 34th).
The 10-team tournament also has England, India, Canada, Wales, and Ghana in Group ‘A’. The games will run from July 29 to August 8.
The Jacqueline Mwangi-coached side hope for a good start against New Zealand on July 29 before settling scores with Australia the following day. Further matches against Scotland (August 1 ) and South Africa (August 2 ) respectively will provide a stern test to Kenya’s young team.
“We are not scared of any team neither do we expect an easy opposition in the group,” Kuira, who plays for the United States International University USIU-A Spartans, said.
He added: “In Australia, we have a proper task but I believe by the time we leave for Birmingham, we will be thoroughly prepared for the herculean task.”
On South Africa, she added: “It’s easier playing South Africa now because we know very well how they play. We have closed the gap on them and hopefully, we will get the better of South Africa in England.”
Former International goalkeeper Josephine Ataro reckons that Kenya have a genuine chance of writing off the previous wrongs by finishing third in the pool despite the ongoing transition. Ataro, Blazers assistant coach, wore the gloves for two decades before retiring in 2017.
“Realistically, the girls can manage the third spot in the group but it will be good exposure for this exciting team. South Africa are beatable. We won against them in 1996 and so with proper preparations, we can beat them again. The team has to take their chances this time, something we failed to capitalize on in the African Cup of Nations in January.”
