Defending Champions Eastern Company Club of Egypt set the Nairobi City Park Hockey Stadium alight with a crisp display of hockey and a 14-0 thumping of Weatherhead of Uganda. The defending Champions were ruthless from the start of the match and though this was not a major test, they looked strong to defend their crown. In the other men’s match, Niger Flicker of Nigeria succumbed to the force of Ghana Police bowing 2-5. The women’s competition saw defending champions Orange making light work of Kada Queens of Nigeria beating them 5-2. Heartland of Nigeria beat Dar Ladies of Tanzania 2-0 while Ghana Police commenced their search for a first title with a 6-0 thrashing of Wananchi of Uganda. Sharkia women showed how much they have developed over time wresting Sliders of a Kenya to a pulsating 2-2 drawn game. Day 3 will see some interesting matches with an anticipation of a lot of fireworks.

Record winners of the ACCC men’s category, Sharkia Hockey Club of Egypt announced their intention of reclaiming the crown they lost to compatriots Eastern Company in the last edition held in 2015 with a hard fought 2-0 win over Butali Warriors of Kenya. The very thrilling encounter saw the determined Kenyans giving their opponents a good run for their money, stretching them the entire period of the match. Sharkia were relieved to come out victors while the Worriers live to fight another day. In the other men’s matches, Exchequers of Ghana beat Weatherhead of Uganda 6-2, while Kenya Police made light work of Wananchi of Uganda 4-2. The women’s competition also started on a blistering note with Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) whitewashing Wananchi of Uganda 11-0, while Weatherhead of Uganda bowed 3-6 to Sliders of Kenya. The final match of the day saw Sharkia battling to a 2-2 draw the Kada Queens of Nigeria. Match Day 2 promises to be exciting with the men’s defending champions taking the turf to commence the defense of their crown in a match against Wananchi of Uganda. Women’s defending Champions Telcom Orange of Kenya will also commence the defence of their title in a match against Kada Queens of Nigeria.