Two of the three teams in each pool proceed to the semis.
Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) men’s league champions National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) got their Super Cup campaign off to a winning start, seeing off soldiers, Ulinzi 26-22.
In a highly competitive encounter, the millers, out to defend their Cup title, played for a 12-all draw in the first half but returned for the second half with different tactics take the lead and hold on for the lead.
“We played according to plan and it bore fruits for us. The first half was balanced but after a change in tactics in both offense and defense in the second half as well as our formation, we changed the game.
However, heading to the next match against Black Mamba there are a few things, like how to handle pressure, that need to be addressed at a personal level ahead of Sunday’s match,” said NCPB tactician Danstun Eshikumo.
Seven minutes into the second half, the miller took two-goal lead for the first time in the match. The advantage prior had been a solitary goal, heading to the tied break.
Two minutes later, NCPB had gone on a scoring spree, extending their advantage to four goals at 17-13 and again by five at 20-15 with 43 minutes on the clock.
The difference was at its highest at six goals at 22-16, a difference that remained until the 50 minutes mark where NCPB led 24-18. The goal posts dried for the next six minutes but the millers broke the deadlock from the seven-metre spot as they won by four goals in the end.
“We face Black Mamba on Sunday in another match that should determine our placing in he group, but I believe that is an encounter we can win. We are the league champions and are looking to defend the Cup for another double,” added Eshikumo.
Ulinzi’s Kelvin Imo top scored in the match at six goals but they that made little difference in the final outcome as Brian Wakukha and Timothy Kirimi top scored for the millers at five goals each as William Malui and Robert Maraga contributed four in the win.
Lynette Matheka, Journalist
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