Bogonko calm as Parklands fight for league survival

Parklands Hockey Club head coach Victor Bogonko is adamant his side will survive relegation as the Hockey Premier League enters its homestretch.

With only four matches to go, Parklands are staring at relegation as they sit bottom of the men’s top-tier league with seven points.

The relegation battle in the men’s league has narrowed down to three teams with Nairobi Sikh Union (9) and Strathmore University (10) also in the mix.

With the team set for back to back matches this weekend against former champions Kenya Police and Chase Sailors on Saturday and Sunday respectively, Bogonko says his side is not under pressure as they fight for survival in the top flight league.

“We are not under pressure. All we have to do is to be tactical as we haven’t been creating many goal-scoring attempts. However, in our last the game against Wazalendo we did well, we could have ended up getting a point or three,” explained Bogonko.

Parklands will thereafter take on run-away leaders Butali Sugar Warriors on November 23 before winding up their campaign with a match against Strathmore University on November 30.

“If we can get six points this weekend, then I am certain we will be safe,” said Bogonko.

Having managed only one win and four draws in 14 outings, Bogonko has bemoaned a series of injuries on his squad as one of the challenges his side has encountered across the campaign that has left them bottom of the 10-team log.

Meanwhile, the battle for the second spot in the league is also expected to take centre stage this weekend as fourth-placed Police (25) clash with third-placed Greensharks (27) on Sunday.

At the same time, league leaders Butali Sugar Warriors will be needing only a point to retain their title when they face second-placed Wazalendo on Saturday.

In the women’s top division, Sliders face off with Strathmore University Scorpions on Saturday while leaders Blazers clash with Kenyatta University on Sunday.

Similarly, relegation-threatened Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) are primed for Sliders clash on Sunday.