Nairobi Water retain regional handball title, NCPB storm final

Nairobi Water women's team on Friday defended the East and Central Africa Handball Federation Clubs Championships (ECAHF) title after thumping Kiziguro of Rwanda 32-18 in their last match at the Benjamin Mkapa Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Nairobi Water coach Jack Ochieng dedicated the win to the players, technical bench and management.

"We thank the management of Nairobi Water for the sponsorship. We are very happy we defended our title and it means we have another job of defending it come next year. The hard work has paid off," said the tactician.

Brenda Ariviza and Gladys Chillo scored six goals each to emerge top scorers for champions as Paulina Mukanabana (6) and Esther Umutesi (3) top-scored for the Rwandans.

In another women's match of the day, National Cereals and Produce Board(NCPB) beat hosts Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa(JKT) 32-23 to keep their hope a live of finishing second in the five-team competition that ends on Saturday.

Medina Kerubo chalked six goals for NCPB while Zena Muhamed tallied eight goals for JKT.

NCPB will parade against Kiziguro on Saturday in their final match.

In the men's first semifinal played at the same venue, NCPB overwhelmed compatriots Black Mamba 23-18 to book place in the final where reigning champions Rwanda Police lie in wait on Saturday.

Police beat hosts Ngome 29-23 in the other semifinal.

Cereals were first off the block as they lead 13-10 in a low scoring match at the breather with Robert Maraga netting six goals high for winners while Paul Ondara scored six goals for Mamba.

Ahead of the final match against the Rwandans, NCPB coach Danston Eshikumo said they expect to end the annual event on a high.

"We are expecting a good match. We won the event in 2018 and we hope to reclaim the title. We will give our all and hopefully the results will work in our favour, " said Eshikumo.

Black Mamba will take on Ngome in the third place playoff on Saturday.