Kahawa hold Navy as Kenya Defence Forces handball league enters fourth leg at Nyayo Stadium

BY REBECCA GICHANA

James Regen of Kenya Navy (left) is blocked by Clinton Maiko of Kahawa Barracks in the KDF handball league played at Nyayo stadium yesterday. [PHOTO: TABITHA OTWORI]

Kahawa Barracks forced a 25-25 draw against Kenya Navy as the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) handball league entered the fourth leg over the weekend.

Kahawa managed to emerge unbeaten in the three-day event at the Nyayo National Stadium handball court.

Kahawa coach Sammy Kungu praised his team for the good run in the league saying the players were over confident in thus the results.

 “I am happy with the results for the last three days. We are aiming for better results in our next fixtures. We now lay focus on how to win the remaining matches in the league,” said the tactician.

Team manager Bernard Kangangi echoed Kungu’s sentiments adding the team will perform better.

HIGH HOPES

“We had high hopes in this match but it is unfortunate it ended in a draw. The match was a good one as both teams had their chances,” said the official.

The match started on a high note with both teams having their share of chances. Navy came out strongly to take a slim 13-12 lead in the first half mark.

After the breather, attacks intensified as Kahawa equalised to level the scores from the first whistle.

The trend continued with the teams alternating the scores. Two minutes to the end of the match, Kahawa pulled a 25-24 lead but was not able to contain their opponents who scored in the last five seconds to make matters 25-25.

SELECT PLAYERS

Earlier, Kahawa defeated 4th Brigade 40-26 and went ahead to beat Armed 34-24 in another match.

KDF handball assistant secretary Sammy Mwangangi said they are using the league to select players who will take part in the annual East African Military Games scheduled in August this year in Zanzibar.

“We have three teams taking part in the national league and hope from this we will get good players in the same,” said the official.

In other matches played at the same venue, Armed defeated Second Brigade 33-17 as Ulinzi humbled Navy 42-13.

 Engineers beat Defence forces head quarters 48-22 while Kenya Navy managed a 27-26 win against Artillery.

In the women’s category, Artillery defeated Kenya Navy 28-24, while Kahawa beat Second Brigade 32-31.