Handball: Cut-throat competition as league enters penultimate weekend

A climatic end to the Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) league is expected as holders National Cereals and Produce Board and Nairobi Water Queens look to defend their titles.

The two sides head to the last two weekends of action facing their toughest test yet as Ulinzi HC and their female counterparts Ulinzi Sharks headline the standings, the latter holding a slight advantage over perennial winners Water.

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In the men’s league, NCPB have a tougher test as they play four matches while the military side has two assignments in the final two weekends. The two sides face off in the final league match that is likely to determine the league champion.

The Brian Mathews-coached millers have a date with in-form Equity Bank on 9 June before playing three consecutive matches from 15 to 17 June against the hard-fighting General Service Unit (GSU), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and culminate the season against their military nemesis.

Meanwhile, Nixon Oyaro’s Ulinzi play Equity on 15 June before taking on the millers in a highly-anticipated clash as the two sides are yet to meet since the pre-season Super Cup final that the soldiers won 37-35 in two extra times. Both sides remain unbeaten so far with Ulinzi having dropped points once in a 26-all draw against Strathmore University.

In the women’s league, Sharks headline the standings with 38 points, separated with holders Water by a 25-goal difference with two matches to go. Both sides have lost once. Water was stunned by Rangers while the military side went down to the Jack Ochieng-coached defending champions in the first leg.

Ochieng’s charges play their penultimate fixture against tormentors, Rangers, on 8 June while Sharks take on NCPB women on 15 June before the two clash on 17 June, in the league decider should both sides win their respective matches before then.