National women champions Nairobi Water Queens captain Gladys Chilo says they have the players guide the team to a record-breaking 11th Kenya Handball Federation league title.
The inspirational skipper said they have passionate players — the team’s strongest point — as they chase a consecutive 11th national title. They have never lost a league game in over a decade.
The long-serving Chilo said they have enough fire in the belly and have no pressure at all as they remain the team to beat once again.
“Maintaining the national league as well as the East and Central Africa titles for a decade has been tough, but we have done it all the same,” said Chilo.
“We are going to handle one match at a time, one team at a time. No pressure.”
She went on: “We are ready to give our all to maintain our excellent standings in whatever championships we take part in.”
Water Queens are third on the table with six points from three games, but are expected to move to the top of the table when the league resumes this weekend following a brief break.
They tackle sixth-placed Amazon on Saturday and have a date with bottom-of-the-table side New Hope on Sunday. Two wins will push them to 10 points, same as leaders Ulinzi Sharks.
National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), the other team capable of pushing the two giants to the limit, are second on eight points from four wins.
“We have just played three matches and you can see our score difference are narrow,” said Chilo, adding: “The narrative will be different once we have played equal number of games.”
Goal difference will once again play a key role in determining the champions. Ulinzi have rattled in 225 goals, NCPB 182 and Water Queens 149.
The only other women’s match of the week will see former champions NCPB play New Hope. Wins in these matches will see all the top three teams tie on 10 points each.