Alexina Ambani plans to lift Ulinzi to their first league title

Kenya Handball National team and Ulinzi right back Alexina Ambani trains indoors at her residence in Nairobi on March 24, 2020, following the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic which has resulted to sports leagues globally altering their schedules. [Photo: Stafford Ondego, Standard]

When you mention the name Ambani to most football fans, their minds will most definitely drift to brothers Fred and Boniface.

After all, these two left an indelible mark in Kenya's football history.

Boniface trotted the world as a professional footballer and his Kenyan Premier League record of 26 goals in a season still stands, while Fred turned to coaching after retiring from active play.

But after the renown brothers, there came another Ambani; Alexina. In her 21 years of active play, she has seen it all.

A senior sergeant in the Kenya Defence Forces, Ambani soaks up anything handball. She says that she eats, drinks and sleeps handball.

She is no doubt a team player and her actions and words have earned her the respect from her teammates and coaches. 

While she is not the most vocal person in the squad, she is one of the most revered players in the Kenya national women's handball team.

"My whole life has been great because of handball. Nothing gives me more joy than being able to play this beautiful sport," she said. 

She is willing to do whatever it takes to reach higher heights and accomplish greater things.

Born in a sporting family (her father played football, mother netball, brothers football and basketball), Ambani grew up with a passion for athletics.

"I used to compete in 100m relays while at Muthaiga Primary School. I really enjoyed athletics," said Ambani.

It was at Lirhembe Girls High School, in Kakamega, that she fell in love with the sport.

"I joined Lirhembe in 1998 and played volleyball while in Form One, before switching to handball the following year," she said.

"I was attracted to handball because Lirhembe used to qualify for the national games almost every year. So I took interest in the game and furthermore, the coach liked me because I was the only left handed player in the team," Ambani said.

In 2000, Ulinzi Warriors and Cereals Board teams were fighting to get her signature and after her Form Four exams, she joined Ulinzi.

"It was not that difficult to settle in because I had already faced most of the players in past tournaments and competitions when I was in high school."

In 2002, she made her national senior team debut, playing as a right winger in a thrilling win against Tanzania at Kasarani.

"As a first timer in the national team and also the youngest player then, I had to gather courage and perform well because all the players I was playing with and against, were more experienced than me," she added.

Locally, she has been a key figure for the Ulinzi Warriors team in the national league.

And after 18 years of premier league action, the right back has set her eyes on winning the Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) National Premier League, a title that has eluded her for years.

"I want to wrest the league title from Nairobi Water before I retire. It's the only team that is always ahead if us," she said. 

"Nothing beats the feeling of being crowned league’s champions. Despite the fact that I have numerous individual awards, my sole goal is to help Ulinzi win the local league title," she said.

Once she calls it a day on active play, Ambani wishes to own and manage her own team.