Handball: Coach Ochieng speaks out as Sharks look to end title wait
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 20.06.24. | 08:55
The final day of action will see three matches played as Mountain Queens play NCPB, paving the way for two league deciders as Sharks play Water and Ulinzi HC men take on NCPB men
Ulinzi Sharks are determined to clinch the Kenya Handball Federation's (KHF) women's league title and break Nairobi Water's more than a decade-long dominance.
The Emmanuel Kieti-coached military side is gearing up for the final match of the season, scheduled for Saturday, June 22, against a Water side that has shown vulnerabilities this season, albeit in the absence of some key players. They are focused solely on securing victory.
Water currently leads the standings ahead of the final day with 40 points, having secured 20 wins and suffered a single loss. The Sharks are close behind with 39 points, having lost once and drawn once. Water faced defeat against Rangers Ladies, while Sharks stumbled in the first-leg encounter against the defending champions led by Jack Ochieng.
In their penultimate clash against the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), the military side settled for a 28-all draw, and as a result, assistant coach Victor Ochieng admits they dented their title chances. However, in a quick rejoinder, he says it motivates his squad to remain grounded in the last game.
“It was all jitters,” Ochieng offered when asked about the draw that gave Water a one-point advantage. “We knew what to do against NCPB but we couldn't execute. It was more mental than tactical and that is what we seek to address ahead of the final clash.”
Sharks led 16-12 at halftime but, as Ochieng would later admit, turnovers brought the Millers back to the game NCPB’s Joan Akinyi remained a thorn in Sharks’ flesh, scoring nine of the side’s tally to keep her side in the game.
“We just need to take care of the ball and have presence of mind from the first to last whistle. We are well aware of the challenge Water presents and we have to respect that but not be afraid to play them,” Ochieng continued.
The final day of action will see three matches played as Mountain Queens play NCPB, paving the way for two league deciders as Sharks play Water and Ulinzi HC men take on NCPB men.
Saturday 22, June
11 AM- Mountain Queens vs NCPB (Women)
1 PM- Ulinzi Sharks vs Nairobi Water (Women)
3 PM – NCPB vs Ulinzi HC (Men)
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