KENYA FACE BURKINA FASO: National women handball coach Madegwa buoyant ahead of opener in Ethiopia today

HANDBALL AFRICA WOMEN CHAMPIONSHIP National Handball team's Winfred Atieno aims Angolas goal as she is tackled by opponent Centre back Laodicei Liodla during 11th Women Youth Africa Nations Championship at Kasarani Indoor Arena on Tuesday, June 7, 2015. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO.

Kenya junior women handball team coach Grace Madegwa says she will be counting on experience in the opening encounter against Burkina Faso in the International Handball Federation Trophy tournament in Addis Ababa, today.

This is the second time Madegwa is guiding the team to the continental phase after the 2012 edition, where they finished fourth in Djibouti.

Madegwa will be counting on the team that has been dominated by regional and domestic champions Nairobi Water Queens players to improve the results this time round.

“We have never played against Burkina Faso before, but we want to qualify to the next round first and see the progress from there. The players have enough experience to play in the tournament and we are counting on this to counter our opponents,” she said.

The tactician, who recently led the same team to the fourth position in the just-concluded 22nd edition of the Junior Africa Nations Championship at Kasarani, is however cautious of their other opponents, Senegal, who denied them a podium finish in the previous edition. Madegwa, who doubles up as a player and coach for National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will bank on six experienced Water Queens players; Gladys Chilo, Merina Andala, Morena Mjuka, Brenda Ariviza, Jane Waithera and Mitchelle Adhimabo as the team hunts for continental glory.

NCPD has five players in the squad led by Rehema Asiko, Jackline Wanjiku, Berline Achieng, Grace Odhiambo and Jerioth Wanjiku. Custodian Isabella Akinyi from Kamusinga is making a debut in the national team. New Jogoo Road’s Yasmin Hassan is also in the squad.

“Senegal beat us last time but we now have a different squad. In the last tournament we played well and this will act as a motivator to the girls in this edition,” she said.

Madegwa will be assisted by national team’s veteran player Victor Siero.