Hockey: Western Jaguars now eye continental glory
Western Jaguars player Collins Odongo (left) and Sheldon Kimtai (right) vie for the ball with Sikh Union’s Cliff Omari during their Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League match at the Sikh Union Club in Nairobi on Sunday.
What you need to know:
- Despite losing four players before the season- Edinson Ndobi (Butali), Conrad Wafula (Daikyo Heroes), Boris Katasi (USIU), and Michael Mbaya (Wazalendo)—Malungu brought in reinforcements. He added Isaac Wanjala, Martin Kasanda, Alex Kigaro, and East Africa School Games MVP Hillary Ang'ayirwa, as well as Collins Odongo (JKUAT) and Alex Taiswa (Nakuru Hockey Club).
- “I didn't feel the pinch after the departures, which indicates we’re doing something right as a coaching team. The new players stepped up and delivered,” he said.
We don’t want to buy success, we grow success, Western Jaguars coach Michael Malungu has declared after guiding the Kakamega County-based club to its first ever Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League title on Sunday at the Sikh Union Club in Nairobi.
Jaguars secured the title after a 3-3 draw against Sikh Union, concluding their matches in the one-legged season with 25 points from nine matches in the 10-team league.
Second-placed Kenya Police have 16 points from seven matches, equal to Sikh Union, but have already completed their league games. Defending champions Butali Sugar Warriors sit in seventh place with nine points from five matches and can only finish with 21 points should they win their remaining four matches. Jaguars will be crowned when the season ends on December 8.
Malungu highlighted the team’s journey since their promotion to the Premier League from the National League in 2007, emphasising their commitment to player development.
“We have earned it. Our long-term plan was to develop players in a structured way not only for our club, but also to attract the interest of other teams. We have nurtured and developed players. This season’s achievement is a testament to the investments made by our management and technical bench, and we are grateful to God that we have borne the fruits,” he said.
He also noted his dual role as coach of the National and East Africa Secondary School Games hockey champions, Musingu Boys’ High School, which acts as a feeder academy for Jaguars.
“That’s where we realise players’ potential and mould them into quality players. When they join Jaguars, they easily transition from school to club hockey. Success is built on a foundation, and that’s what I have invested in,” he added.
He also reflected on the club’s past struggles.
“There were times when relegation loomed, particularly in 2017 and 2018. We went back to the drawing board and got back on track. In 2019, we finished fourth before the Covid-19 pandemic halted sports. We placed third in 2022, second in 2023, and now, we’ve won our maiden title, demonstrating steady growth. Throughout, management has consistently supported us.”
He credited the team’s participation at the Africa Cup for Clubs Championship in Blantyre, Malawi, last year with motivating the players to excel.
“In our second appearance, we finished second behind Egypt’s Sharkia. The road trip to Malawi fuelled the players’ determination to perform better, as they wanted another shot at the club championship. The exposure and experience have been invaluable,” he stated.
They will take a two-week break before resuming training in early December in preparation for next year’s continental event on January 24-29 in Egypt.
Despite losing four players before the season- Edinson Ndobi (Butali), Conrad Wafula (Daikyo Heroes), Boris Katasi (USIU), and Michael Mbaya (Wazalendo)—Malungu brought in reinforcements. He added Isaac Wanjala, Martin Kasanda, Alex Kigaro, and East Africa School Games MVP Hillary Ang'ayirwa, as well as Collins Odongo (JKUAT) and Alex Taiswa (Nakuru Hockey Club).
“I didn't feel the pinch after the departures, which indicates we’re doing something right as a coaching team. The new players stepped up and delivered,” he said.
