Nairobi Water Queens moved closer to retaining their East and Central Africa Handball Federation Senior Club Championship crown after beating National Cereals and Produce Board 28-23 on Thursday.
With only a game still to play against Rwanda’s Kiziguru tomorrow, Water Queens are just a match away from winning their eighth regional title.
Water Queens took a 16-12 lead at the break against their compatriots in this closely fought encounter at the Benjamin Mkapa Indoor Stadium, Dar-es-salaam.
Deadly national team trio of Sarah Mabonga, Gladys Chilo (Water), and Cecilia Kitheu (NCPB) stole the show, raining shots at will.
Chilo and Kitheu scored eight goals each for Water Queens with Mabonga registering tournament’s high of 10 goals for the losers.
Water’s Brenda Ariviza managed to hit the back of the net six times while Brenda Musambai also rattled in three.
Joan Akinyi and Leli Akinyi were also good for three goals each for NCPB who lost twice in the league to their compatriots in Nairobi.
Water Queens will finish their fixtures against Kiziguro of Rwanda while (NCPB) will play Jeshi La Kujenga Taifa (JKT) of Tanzania on Friday.
“The ladies played well. However, Water was the better side today,” noted NCPB coach Edna Kassandi, adding: “We gave them a run for the prize and we are going to embark on our shortcomings once back.”
NCPB take on Kiziguro in their final fixture of the tournament on Saturday. National men’s champions NCPB take on compatriots Black Mamba on Friday in an-all Kenyan semi-finals that promises a thriller.
NCPB are leading Pool ‘A’ with two wins from an equal number of games while Mamba are second in Pool ‘B’ having a win and one loss.
The other semi-final match will see Pool ‘B’ leaders and defending champions Rwanda Police take on home boys Ngome.
©The Star Kenya
