Teams play for Super Cup slots and pride as handball league ends
Nairobi Water's Melvin Akinyi (left) vies with Amazon's Priscila Jebet during their Kenya Handball Federation National League match at Nyayo National Stadium on October 11, 2021
What you need to know:
- Mamba have 30 points from 17 matches while KDF have 28 points from the same number of matches in the 19- team league.
- NCPB and Strathmore University, who have already played all their 18 matches, occupy the first two positions.
- Champions Cereals have 34 points while Strathmore finished second with 32 points.
The men's and women's Kenya Handball Federation National League comes to an end this weekend at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Up for grabs are tickets to next year's Super Cup that will see the top six men's and top four women's teams qualify for the showdown.
On Saturday, champions and record holders Nairobi Water women's team battle Nanyuki before Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) face-off with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in the final match of the day.
Nairobi Water will be keen to finish the season on high when they tackle Nanyuki who were making their debut in the top flight league this season.
Nairobi Water coach Jack Ochieng acknowledged that the season served the team the competition it has been longing for.
"For instance KDF, they gave us the run for our money both in the first and second legs.We won narrowly 29-28 and 30-26. Other teams like National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and Nanyuki also gave a good show and we hope that next season will even be better," offered Ochieng, who is also the national women's team coach.
Nairobi Water have 26 points from 13 matches in the 14-team league, while KDF are second with 20 points from 12 matches.
NCPB are third with 18 points from 13 matches as Nanyuki complete the top four positions with 17 points from same number of matches.
KDF team manager Yusuf Kipkoech challenged the team to use the final match as a build up to East and Central African Clubs Championship to be staged in Dar es Salaam,Tanzania from November 28 to December 6.
"I am glad that the management confirmed our participation in the championship. Whereas it had previously been reported that both teams - men and women - will not compete due to finances, the management assured us otherwise and we are happy and excited, "said the official.
"We want to win against the varsity side and wrap up the season with a win against NCPB on Sunday," he added.
On Sunday, battle lines are drawn when Black Mamba men's team take on KDF in the fight for third place.
Mamba coach Martin Abunde said there is all to play for.
"It will be an interesting but tough match. It's a tie that could go either way but we are determined to carry the day," said Abunde.
Mamba have 30 points from 17 matches while KDF have 28 points from the same number of matches in the 19- team league.
NCPB and Strathmore University, who have already played all their 18 matches, occupy the first two positions.
Champions Cereals have 34 points while Strathmore finished second with 32 points.
