The top six men’s side and top four women’s teams at the end of regular league face off in the KHF Super Cup.
Coach Peter Mwathi on Sunday 14 November guided Strathmore University Handball side to a second-place finish in the Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) men’s league.
Having missed out on their maiden title following losses to champions National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and Black Mamba, the varsity side ended their season on a high, subjecting Ulinzi Handball Club to their third loss of the season.
In a tightly contested match played at the Nyayo Handball Court on Sunday, Kelvin Obunga top-scored for the varsity team with six goals with skipper Prevailer Muhani and Rashid Ingwela contributing four each in a 25-23 win over the military side.
Ulinzi’s Noah Cheruiyot was the top scorer in the match at nine goals but they were not enough to propel the Wycliffe Juma-coached side to a win that would have helped them fight for a second-place finish.
“We came into the match on the back of a loss to Black Mamba and that was pushing us to pick a positive win against Ulinzi. Being our last match of the season, it was also paramount that we seal that second-place finish,”
“Our focus now shifts to preparing for the Super Cup. Those still in school have the KUSA Games to keep active while we continue with training with those not eligible to play in the University games. We are not taking part in the East and Central Africa Handball Federation championship so our target is to prepare well for the Cup and win it,” said skipper Muhani.
NCPB, champions in waiting, top the standings at 34 points after losing a single match in 18 while Strathmore are second on 32 points, two ahead of Black Mamba who have a match in hand against Ulinzi.
General Service Unit (GSU) who have already finished their league matches are fourth at 30 points while Ulinzi are fifth at 28 points. Kenyatta University have sealed the final Super Cup slot in sixth place at 24 points.
“Black Mamba still have a chance to pip us to second place but seeing as they face Ulinzi and need to win by more than 66 goals, we are confident of maintaining our second place,” added Muhani.
©Mozzart Sports KE
Lynette Matheka, Journalist.