League champs Mamba eye Super Cup glory

Black Mamba Handball's Nicholas Okore challenges Rashid Ingwela (left) of Strathmore University during Kenya Handball Federation league at Nyayo National Stadium on Nov 6, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) men’s handball champions Black Mamba coach Martin Abunde says his charges are ready for the Super Cup challenge that starts today at Kaloleni Handball Court in Nairobi.

Mamba, who won the 2017 season national league title with an unbeaten record will be seeking their first ever Super Cup title when they face Rangers HC who are making a debut this season.

Martin is however wary of Rangers HC which is coached by his elder brother Gerald Abunde in the Group A matches.

“Winning the league has really boosted the morale in the team. The preparations are on point, but the rains have affected the training but I’m, glad we are doing well in terms of polishing up our skills ahead of the match against Strathmore and Rangers. “I know the Super Cup tournament will be difficult for us. We will play matches against seasoned teams, but we leave that to God.

“Rangers is a good side and we have been winning by a margin of a single goal every time we meet. “I don’t know what my big brother has in store, but we will take each match at a time,” Martin said.

Group B has former champions Kenya Defence Forces, National Cereals and Produce Board and Mount Kenya University, Thika Campus.

In the women’s category, reigning champions Nairobi Water will be keen to retain the title. The winner of the Super Cup earns a direct ticket to next year’s Africa Cup Winners Championship.

The Super Cup event brings together the top six men’s and four women’s teams.