Juma hoping to salvage weekend against Kahawa as Strathmore face NCPB test

Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) men's league side Rangers HC head coach Gerald Juma is hoping his side will bounce back to pick points against Kahawa after a Saturday of losses.

Rangers, up against Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Ulinzi HC on Saturday, failed to pick any points as they went down by a surprise 27-26 and an expected 43-28 respectively. 

"We missed three key players on Saturday, additionally the players arrived in Nairobi on Saturday morning from Kimilili and had no time to rest before the matches. Even so, the loss to JKUAT was hard to process,"

Tough tests for Rangers in action packed weekend

"We had to put that behind us quick and focus on Sunday's match against Kahawa. We need to pick the points so as to keep our target of playing in the Super Cup alive,"

"We were targeting a top-four finish in the regular league but now we have to lower our expectations to a top six," said Juma who has guided his charges to two Super Cup appearances in three seasons but is still hunting for the top prize. 

Rangers Women, on their part, picked a 40-28 victory in their encounter against military side Amazon, completing a double against the Thika-based side. The Kimilili-based side had, however, fell 38-17 to holders Nairobi Water. 

On Sunday, Juma will also guide the women against National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), a match he admits his charges are just out to pick the experience and try and execute their plays against a tougher opponent. 

Meanwhile, former champions Technical University of Kenya (TUK) take on in-form General Service Unit (GSU) who are in the chase for the league title, having lost one match in 13 outings. 

Vickers, who were a no-show on Saturday, handing GSU maximum points without breaking a sweat, are set to host fellow military men in Thika in the latter's 15th match of the season. 

Nanyuki Women, meanwhile host JKUAT women as the former look to clinch their sixth win in ten matches while the varsity side is looking to bag a second win in their seventh league outing. 

The highlight match of the weekend will see title-chasing Strathmore University take on NCPB men, another title contender, in a cracker. The varsity side leads the men's standings at 28 points, having gone on a 14-match winning streak. The Millers, on their part, have lost one in 13 matches.