NCPB storms regional handball tourney semis
Sarah Mabonga of National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) shoots from the penalty spot during their Kenya Handball Federation National League match against Nairobi Water at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on August 7, 2021.
What you need to know:
- The top two teams in each pool will proceed to the semi-finals scheduled for Friday. The women’s version is being played in a round robin format.
- Rwanda Police men and Nairobi Water are the men and women’s defending champions.
National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB) men Tuesday defeated Ngome of Tanzania 26-18 to qualify for the semi-finals of the East and Central Africa Handball Federation Senior Clubs Championships (ECAHF) at the Benjamin Mkapa indoor stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
NCPB had on Monday won against Jeshi La Kujenga Taifa (JKL) 42-21 and with the two wins, the 2018 champions top pool ‘A’ with four points.
Cereals, coached by Danstun Eshikumo, led 10-6 at the breather in the low scoring match on the second day of the week-long event.
William Muliwi (6), Peter Omondi (3), Nicholas Okore (3) and Nicholas Oduor (3) shone for the winners, while Bonnere Frank (8) and Khalifa Juma (4) emerged top scorers for the losers.
NCPB team manager Edina Kasandi was gracious in victory.
“We are eager to see who we will play in the semi-final having won all our pool matches. The lads are okay this far,” said Kasandi.
Their women counterparts on other hand reigned supreme over hosts Ngome 30-15. Sarah Mabonga (7), Sherly Atieno (5) and Elizabeth Atieno (5) were on target for the Kenyans, while Fatuma Issa (4), Neema Mazanga (3) and Zawadi Juma (3) emerged top scorers for the hosts.
At the same time, Black Mamba men's team won their first match against Nyuki of Zanzibar 25-12 in pool ‘B’’.
Black Mamba will Wednesday play their last pool match against reigning champions Rwanda Police.
Black Mamba coach Martin Abunde stated that the players had a slow start but gained momentum along the way.
“I’m glad we won the first match despite having a poor start. We next play champions Rwanda Police and we look forward to a good game and at the end of it all, we will book one of the semi-final tickets,” said Abunde.
Morgan Juma (5), Paul Ondara (4) and Sydney Omondi (2) impressed for the visitors Asakheri Khatibu (4) and Silima Juma (2) starred for Nyuki.
The top two teams in each pool will proceed to the semi-finals scheduled for Friday. The women’s version is being played in a round robin format.
Rwanda Police men and Nairobi Water are the men and women’s defending champions.
Nairobi Water will cross swords with Ngome of Rwanda Wednesday.
