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- Tally was speaking after the varsity side Saturday failed to record their third win of the season after losing 35-22 to Kenya Defence Forces(KDF) at Nyayo Stadium.
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agricultural and Technology (JKUAT) women’s coach Potius Tally says they have picked vital lessons as this season’s Kenya Handball Federation National League comes to an end on Sunday.
Tally was speaking after the varsity side Saturday failed to record their third win of the season after losing 35-22 to Kenya Defence Forces(KDF) at Nyayo Stadium.
Tally remained optimistic JKUAT will wrap up the season on a high when they play Amazon on Sunday in their last match at the same venue.
The loss leaves the varsity side, who made their debut in the top flight season league this term, second from bottom with four points from 13 matches, two points ahead of bottom placed Amazon.
While the win for KDF leaves them second with 22 points from 13 matches in the eight-team league, four points behind champions Nairobi Water who have a date with Nanyuki on Sunday.
“We have no choice but to win against Amazon. It was a learning curve for us this season but we want to come back better next season. We will not be looking at how many wins but also how best we can challenge for the title,” said the official.
“In the match against KDF, we started sluggishly but picked up in the second half although it was not good enough but we hope to be at our best when we face Amazon on Sunday,” he added.
Sarah Wasike, Euphrasia Mukasia, Caren Lutengeya and Carolyne Temko top-scored for the winners with five goals each while Sarah Winnie and Lenah Njeri scored five goals each for Jkuat.
KDF were the better side in the first half as they led 21-8.
In the second half, Jkuat showed some improvement but they did little to trouble the forces side that easily carried the day.
Meanwhile, men’s champions Black Mamba on Saturday got a shot in the arm after receiving playing kits and a cash donation from Makadara business man Antony Waithaka ahead of next weekend’s annual East and Central African handball clubs Championship in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The championship kicks off on November 28 to December 6.
Waithaka, who is eyeing the Makadara Parliamentary seat in the 2022 General Elections, gave out two sets of uniforms and cash to help the team with its preparations.
“This team has been the pride of Makadara for very many years and I want to assure them that we will be supporting them as they prepare to go to Dar es Salaam.We will be praying for them to bring the cup home,” said Waithaka.
The Kaloleni-based handball outfit will be seeking to return to the East African showpiece after it was postponed last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Established in1980, Black Mamba finished second at the East African tournament in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018 and will be aiming to break the glass ceiling with a win in Dar es Salaam this year.
©Nation Media Group
Agnes Makhandia, Sports Reporter.