United States International University (USIU) women's head coach John Kabu remains optimistic about securing maximum points in their upcoming Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) women’s Premier League matches despite late university resumption.
USIU, with two wins from their last three matches, are third on the seven-team table with seven points, three better than defending champions Blazers.
USIU beat Sliders 2-0 in their first encounter, had a goalless draw with Amira Sailors and beat DFG Wolverines 1-0.
"We’re extremely ready for our next show. Although we've had a long break of almost a month due to exams, we resumed training in September. The team isn’t at full game fitness so expectations are measured for now," Kabu said.
Kabu said possession will be key in the league this season and outlined his tactical approach of focusing on short passes to avoid being overrun.
"This single-leg format is tricky. Every game feels like a final. Our advantage is that we have strong resources which usually translate into good performances," he observed.
The coach acknowledged that his players are accustomed to high-level competition and tipped them to finish on the podium.
Kabu credited a strong attack and a new defensive strategy for their win against Wolverines.
"We'll shift from a back four to three defenders, adding an extra midfielder in a 3-4-3 formation," he said.
He expects the men's team to challenge for the title, especially after a perfect start to the season against Jaguars and Sailors.
"We play our game on murram, which works to our advantage as most teams struggle on that surface," he added.
Meanwhile, Kabu is worried about the league since City Park is still under renovation and teams will struggle to secure alternative venues, both for training and competition.
Elsewhere, the National Beach Hockey Festival will be held in Mombasa this weekend.
Saturday fixtures ( USIU-A)
Blazers Vs Amira Sailors
Kenyatta University Ladies Vs Sliders
