L. MathekaIs KHF league Strathmore's to lose?
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 28.07.21. | 20:14
Seven rounds have been played so far with the varsity side leading at 14 points. Only 16 of the 20 registered teams have been in action so far. .
Last Saturday, 24 July was a day of upsets in the Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) men's league as former champions Ulinzi Handball Club and National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) fell, paving way for varsity side Strathmore to assume lead.
Up against Hospital Hill's Inspired, on Sunday, Strathmore struggled to beat the school boys in the first half but collected themselves in the second half for a decent show, winning the match 29-20.
Strathmore head coach Peter Mwathi, however, maintains that it is too early to assume the league 'favourite' tag arguing that anything can happen and the other teams are just as good as his side.
In their last match, the varsity side led by two goals at half time in a 12-10 scoreline. They played a better second half for 17 goals, allowing the teenagers to score ten.
"We did not play as expected. Contrary to our philosophy of defense, we gave a lot of room to the opponent to score and kept them in the game. We were not clinical on the offense as well and we cannot approach any of the remaining matches this way if we intend to win. I am happy my players regrouped, followed instructions and executed well in the second half of that match. I hope we can keep the winning momentum going," said Mwathi.
Strathmore are at the helm of the men's league standings with 14 points after seven wins in as many matches. Ulinzi are second at 12 points while General Service Unit (GSU) who , just like Strathmore are unbeaten complete the top three at 12 points.
Mwathi's defensive approach to matches is evident as the side has conceded the least number of goals, at 123, compared to any other team that has played more than four matches.
National handball league fixtures. pic.twitter.com/Rz1lUWLNFK
— kenya Handball Federation (@handball_kenya) July 26, 2021
"Despite the losses for Ulinzi and NCPB we still have matches against the two sides as well as other strong sides so we have to remain level headed. We take it one match at a time, play for a win in each match and keep getting better then see what happens. It is too early to tell what other teams have in store," added Mwathi.
Strathmore play Buccaneers this weekend while GSU, on of the other unbeaten side takes on former champions Ulinzi. Rangers who have only played two matches and are yet to lose play three matches against Generation, Boomerang and Inspired.
