Cereals, Queens reclaim top spot in handball leagues
National Cereals and Produce Board's Timothy Kirimi (left) tries to shoot past Boomerang's Masi Kefah during their Kenya Handball Federation men's National League match on February 10, 2019 at Kaloleni grounds. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Queens are on 24 points, two ahead of their arch-rivals and former champions NCPB who occupy second spot in the standings.
- Ulinzi Sharks are in third spot with 23 points as MKU Thika and Yatta Queens round off the top five places.
Men’s champions National Cereals Produce Board (NCPB) reclaimed top spot in the Kenya Handball Federation National League after the weekend round of matches.
NCPB were in imperious form as they downed Boomarang 34-18 at the Kaloleni grounds to go top.
They are now on 37 points, one ahead of Strathmore University who drop to second spot with 36 points after leading the league for the past one month.
Former champions Black Mamba are three points adrift in third spot after they claimed a 34-29 win over University of Nairobi.
Ulinzi and Tigers round off the top five places with 32 and 29 points respectively. Timothy Kirimi starred for NCPB with seven goals, while Peter Omondi and William Malui chipped in with six goals apiece in the encounter.
The champions were 17-5 at halftime as Boomerang struggled to contain their attacks and their defence crumbling. Boomerang forward Josphat Oigo managed five goals as Kefah Masi got four goals. NCBP Team Manager Edna Kasandi believes the team has hit top form at just the correct time.
“We have playing catch up for the better part of the season and now that we have gone top, the key is to maintain top spot until the end of the season,” Kasandi told Nation Sport.
NCPB are the only unbeaten side in the division after 19 matches, having won 18 and drawing once.
With five points separating the top five teams, the title race looks likely to go on in the coming weeks. In the women’s league, champions Water Queens are still perched at the top with 29 points despite not playing this weekend.
Queens are on 24 points, two ahead of their arch-rivals and former champions NCPB who occupy second spot in the standings.
Ulinzi Sharks are in third spot with 23 points as MKU Thika and Yatta Queens round off the top five places.
Water reclaimed top spot from NCPB after a 37-22 win over Ulinzi Sharks thanks to a sterling performance from Melvin Akinyi, who scored eight goals in the match.
Brenda Ariviza added five goals for the leaders with Sharks unable to find a way back in the match.
