Simba prepare for Stallions test
Simba’s Maxwell Mugisha (L) and Stallion’s Richard Ssemwogerere vie for the ball during their 2-all draw during the first round of the Monitor Publications League (MPL) National Hockey League. PHOTOS BY MAKHTUM MUZIRANSA
KAMPALA.
Simba player-coach Muhammad Ali believes that all is not lost even though Wananchi have set a near unassailable lead in the MPL National Hockey League.
Ali leads his weakened charges, on eight points in seven games, against Kampala Hockey Club (KHC) Stallions today at Lugogo with second place as his main target for the rest of the season.
Double figures
“Why do we need to pretend? Wananchi have 22 points, Weatherhead 11 and others are not even in double figures yet,” Ali pondered.
“I don’t want teams to stop fighting but second place isn’t bad.
“If any continental tournament is hosted within East Africa, teams that finish second in the Kenyan, Tanzanian and Ugandan leagues will have to make up numbers,” he added. Simba will not be able to call on experienced players Denis Okende, Ronny Othieno and veteran Balbin Singh - who gave them some defensive solidity in the first half of their 3-1 loss to Wananchi a fortnight ago.
“Kampala will have a little edge in terms of experience but it’s a game where we can play on their mental strength and force results.
“We have goals (scored 13 this season) within us but because of the inexperience we are prone to defensive errors (conceded 21) but that is something we can outgrow,” Ali argued.
TODAY AT LUGOGO
W: Jaguars vs. Gazelles
M: Stallions vs. Simba
