Nairobi Water, NCPB face-off in regional title decider
Nairobi Water coach Jack Ochieng (centre) reacts during their Kenya Handball Federation National League match against Nanyuki on November 21, 2021 at Nyayo National Stadium.
What you need to know:
- JKT and Kiziguro of Rwanda played to a 21-all draw.
- Vena Khamisi emerged top scorer for hosts with seven goals as Nayetegeka Franase scored six goals for the Rwandans.
Reigning champions Nairobi Water women's team remain on course to defend the title after a deserved 28-16 win over hosts Ngome on Wednesday in the ongoing East and Central Africa Handball Federation Clubs Championships (ECAHF) at the Benjamin Mkapa indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.
The Kenyans led 15-9 at the breather and held on to the lead.
Nairobi Water will face foes and compatriots National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) who are also unbeaten in a round robin event Thursday.
Nairobi Water had overwhelmed Jeshi La Kujenga Taifa (JKT) 42-20 in their opening tie while NCPB defeated Ngome 30-15.
Nairobi Water coach Jack Ochieng knows they have no choice but to win all the matches if they have to defend the title.
"It's a round robin competition and therefore there is no room for error, you win all the matches, you win the title, you blink then all is lost. We hope to play well," said Ochieng, who doubles up Kenya women's national team coach.
Gladys Chillo led the scorers for Kenyan side with six goals as Brenda Musambai and Michelle Oyoo added five and four goals each.
Haethem scored a game-high seven goals as Neeme Mazada (three) and Hawe Mkali (three) also ensured their names were on scoresheet for Ngome.
At the same time, Black Mamba have qualified for the semifinal despite falling to champions Rwanda Police 25-19 in the men's title battle.
Black Mamba are likely to play national champions and compatriots National Cereals and Produce Board in one of the semifinals on Friday.
NCPB top Pool 'A' with four points from two wins against Tanzanian side Jeshi La Kujenga Taifa (JKT) 42-21 and Ngome 26-18.
Black Mamba are second in Pool 'B' with two points thanks to their 25-12 win over Nyuki of Zanzibar.
Reigning champions Rwanda Police have same number of points as Mamba but they have a match in hand against winless Nyuki of Zanzibar Thursday.
A win against Nyuki will see them top the standing with four points.
JKT and Ngome, who remain without a win in Pool 'A', will parade to determine who finishes second in the group on Thursday.
In another women's result, JKT and Kiziguro of Rwanda played to a 21-all draw.
Vena Khamisi emerged top scorer for hosts with seven goals as Nayetegeka Franase scored six goals for the Rwandans.
