Kenya bag bronze in IHF youth trophy championship

Richard Mayindo was the star of the show for Kenya as he helped the national men's Under-18 Youth handball team place third at this year's IHF Youth Trophy at the games held in Nairobi. 

Mayindo scored 13 goals against Ethiopia in the third-place playoff match played at Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday 29 October to propel the 2018 champions to a podium finish. 

Kenya bundled out of IHF trophy Youth championship

The Gerald Juma-coached side had a good start, going ahead 20-11 at the end of the first half but their cushion was put under threat in the second half as the Ethiopians made a comeback amd leveled the score. Kenya, however, held on for a 36-34 victory. 

"I am happy with bronze but deep down I know we would have done better than this with good preparations. We barely had time to train as a unit as that was impossible with the school commitments the players had. 

Some of the good players who would have otherwise made the team were also unable to due to similar commitments with some awaiting their final exams. 

We take the lessons from this and look forward to a better future for this squad. If the right decisions and changes are made to call up the team on time, we will present one of the best teams in future events," offered Juma who in 2018 guided Kenya to the title in Uganda. 

Ethiopia’s Hailu Dagmawi was the match's top scorer, putting 16 past Kenya's shot stopper Joshua Simiyu who has been a joy to watch in this entire championship with timely and amazing stops from the post. 

Dalmas Wanyonyi was Kenya's second best scorer in the match with eight goals as skipper Yusuf Pwoka added five to the tally for victory.