In the men’s division of the Uganda National Hockey League, the major obstacle between Wananchi Sports Club and Weatherhead Hockey Club is themselves.
The two sides who have had a good share of league and other titles in the local scene have met twice in the last two weekends with Wananchi triumphing in both occasions.
Their first meeting this year was on 13th March during the inaugural Memorial Shield and later on 20th March during the opening weekend of the 2022 season of the National Hockey League.
In the first outing Wananchi won 3-2 on penalties to win the first silverware of the season. They went ahead to triumph 4-3 the next weekend in the first matchday of the first round of the 2022 league. All matches were held at the National Hockey Stadium, Lugogo.
After subjecting Weatherhead to a bride’s maid role in two competitions in just a week’s time, Wananchi Coach Christopher Otim says that he prides in getting the better of their arch rivals in a very short stint but doesn’t want to start league title talk saying that the season is a marathon.
“It’s too early for title talk,” Otim said after a good start to the season with some local pundits claiming that Wananchi will relieve Weatherhead of the men’s league title.
“I don’t want to put pressure on the players. However, I want them to play their best in each and every game and above all I want results,” Otim noted adding that reclaiming the league title is very possible but the group needs to first put in the work and things will fall in place.
Wananchi lost two players in Thomas Opio and Colline Batusa to Weatherhead in the recently concluded transfer window. However, Otim says that their void will be filled by the youngsters in the side.
“We’re the manufacturers of good players,” Otim said adding that; “we shall always perform well because everyone in our squad is good.”
Wananchi men’s side return to action on Saturday, 26th March when they take on new comers MUBS (Makerere University Business School) at Lugogo.
However, Otim says that his side will come out very ruthless saying that; “we don’t give a chance to any team no matter what. We always set targets to score many goals and there’s a time we scored 16 goals against one team.”
Still on Saturday, Rhino will be up against debutants Weatherhead Lady Historicals. Both sides will seek redemption with the former having failed to honor their opening fixture while the latter were handed a 2-0 beating by women’s holders Wananchi.
Later on Saturday, last year’s women’s division runners up DCU will take on debutants Makerere Eagles.
On Sunday, 27th March Weatherhead will seek to get their title defence going when they entertain Makerere Stingers while women’s holders Wananchi will seek to maintain their perfect start when they play Kampala.
National Hockey League Matchday One Results
*City Lions 1-3 MUK (M)
*Weatherhead 3-4 Wananchi (M)
*Rockets 2-0 Historicals (M)
*DCU 5-0 Weatherhead (W)
*Wananchi 2-0 Historicals (W)
*Wananchi F 2-2 MUK Eagles (W)
Matchday Two Fixtures
Saturday, 26th March
*DCU vs Makerere (W)
*MUBS vs Wananchi (M)
*Rhino vs Historicals (W)
Sunday, 27th March
*Weatherhead vs MUK (M)
*Wananchi vs Kampala (W).
