The tightest Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) league race in years will go down to the wire next weekend with champions National Cereals and Produce Board, Ulinzi, Equity Bank and General Service Unit in contention.
In the women’s category, champions Nairobi Water Queens are still the team to beat as they gun for a 12th title with Ulinzi Sharks hotly on their heels.
NCPB coach Bryan Mathews said the Millers will fight nail and tooth as they pursue another crown.
They drew 29-29 with Equity Bank over the weekend in a match Mathews described as ‘tough’, adding that the bankers put up a spirited fight.
The Millers took a 17-13 first-half advantage but made some turnovers that Equity capitalised on to surge ahead before NCPB forced a tie.
“Nothing is lost. We shift our focus to our next match. We will work on the few mistakes we had in the draw,” Mathews noted.“We can’t say much about our opponents since they also have matches to play. We are just keen on ensuring we don’t drop points in our remaining matches.”
Timothy Kirimi and William Malui notched seven goals each for NCPB while Equity had six from Nicholas Munyua as Brian Murangiri and Rashid Ingwela hit five apiece.
Ulinzi are top of the table with 43 points from 22 games. NCPB follow in second with 41 from 21, same as third-placed Equity. General Service Unit (GSU) are fourth with 40 points from 22 matches.
Water Queens blanked Rangers 33-15 to avenge a 27-26 first-leg defeat.
They are at the summit with 40 points from 21 matches. Ulinzi Sharks are second with 38 having played a game less. Rangers are third with 34 points, two better of NCPB — who have played 19 games.
Daystar University beat Hunters 31-25 as Amos Okwako grabbed 10 goals and Philip Kiplagat added eight. Hunters, who trailed 18-13 at some point, had six goals from each of their talismen, Levi Ndwiga and Timothy Wangila.
