All systems go as Kenya eyes a double in IHF Trophy

International Handball Federation (IHF) Trophy zone five youth (Under-18) champions Kenya, begin their hunt for the title defense on Tuesday, October 25, against Djibouti at the Nyayo Handball Court from 4 pm.

Kenya is hosting the zone five championship that will see eight countries, if Somalia overcome their documentation challenges, compete for a single chance to represent the region at the continental championship.

Juma confident Kenya will defend IHF trophy title

The country is eyeing a double with the junior (Under-20) team under the tutelage of Kenyan international Thodosia Sangoro also looking to clinch the sole ticket to the CAHB championship that also serves as a qualifier for next year’s World Championships.

So far, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Rwanda, Burundi and hosts Kenya are ready for battle in both categories. Somalia has encountered Visa challenges but are expected to participate should the same be sorted on time.

“The players are all healthy and ready for the challenge ahead. I am happy with the fitness levels as most of them are just from the secondary games. In addition to the level of preparations, we are banking on the experience of some of the players that have featured in the local league to propel the team to the title,” offered Youth coach Gerald Juma.

The winners of either category book a slot to the African championship set for 15-22 December in Guinea with the winners booking a ticket to the global championships set for next year. 

Sangoro has echoed Juma’s sentiments on the role league experience will play in his team’s quest for qualification adding that the training the team has had in the last week is good enough for the challenge ahead.

“The response to training in the last one week has been amazing and I am confident the team is ready. We face Burundi in our opening match and while I have not seen them in training, I have seen a few of their clips in action and we are at par.

We will, however, take the championship one game at a time. Half of the squad comes loaded with league experience and we will be leveraging on that to get the best out of them,” offered Sangoro adding that despite this being his first stint at the helm of a national team, there is no pressure.