Strathmore survive JKUAT scare for ninth victory

Skipper Prevailer Muhani and Philip Mumo scored seven and six goals respectively to propel Strathmore University to their ninth victory of the Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) men's league. 

The varsity side was up against Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in a match worth more than just league points as the two were also playing for bragging rights being a varsity derby. Strathmore won 28-22. 

Kenya set to host Zone V International Handball Federation

Despite being in different conferences in the University KUSA games, the two sides' battle is likely to extend to the playoffs of the varsity games and the league rivalry will continue. 

In the Mashujaa Day match JKUAT led for the better part of the first half, with the rest of the times the two teams tied. At half time, the Thika-road based team was one goal up at 13-12. 

"We had a good game in the first 30 minutes. Everything was working well for us, our defense was strong and we denied Strathmore many chances. Our attack was working and golakeepers were on fire. 

In the second half, however, we lost the momentum. We had four back-to-back turnovers that changed the game in favour of Strathmore.

All in all, we have picked valuable lessons and the performance gives us confidence going forward that with minimal mistakes we can give better results," offered JKUAT's coach Stower Radzi. 

Lewis Maraga and Derrick Mwathi were the thorns in Strathmore's flesh as they managed to beat the latter's defence to score six and four goals respectively in the loss. 

JKUAT were on a six-march winning streak that has been brought to an end by the Peter Mwathi coached men but Radzi maintains that, theirs is a work in progress and they see progress. 

Meanwhile, Mwathi, despite the win, acknowledged that they struggled to pick what was a crucial win. 

"We are on a transition as some of my key players are off the team and we are now introducing skme new players to the league. 

They have played in the University league but this level is still new to them and we have to be patient with them. We still have some work to do especially in offense but we will take it one match at a time," Mwathi offered.