Kenyan derbies highlight regional handball tourney at Nyayo

Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) men's league champions National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and their Super Cup counterparts KDF's Ulinzi HC are set to clash in the penultimate group round at the ongoing East and Central Africa Handball Federation (ECAHF) championship at Nyayo.

Their clash is preceded by another Kenyan derby as General Service Unit (GSU) take on league newbies Equity Bank HC as the latter chase their maiden win in the competition.

Brian Mathews NCPB are on a redemption part, the ECAHF defending champions having fallen to Uganda's UPDF in a 33-31 outcome on Tuesday.

The loss for the holders leaves the men's pool A wide open as all the teams have won once and lost once so far. NCPB are still top on a slim 4-goal difference with the Ugandan soldiers, UPDF second on a 0-goal difference. 

Gichumbi of Rwanda and Ulinzi, who played for a 37-32 outcome in favour of the former on Wednesday, hold the next two places on two points with a -1 and -3 difference in goals scored against those conceded.

The two sides are yet to meet in the league this season, their last clash going back to the pre-season tournament, the KHF Super Cup, where the military side got the better of the Millers, for the first time in years, to lift the title.

Meanwhile, GSU who are taking part in the regional tourney for the first time since joining the national league in 2019 are looking to extend their unbeaten run when they take on wounded Equity Bank.

This is another Kenyan derby that has all the markers of a thriller if both sets of players bring their best on the court. 

Heading into the clash, team manager Gabriel Otwane says the paramilitary side is well aware of the challenge the bankers, despite being newbies both in the league and this tournament, pose. 

"Being our first time in this competition, the players' performances have been impressive and the two wins have given us a morale boost as we head to this derby. What's more, a win will ensure we have a place in the semi-final," he offered. 

His sentiments were echoed by veteran player who often sits on the team's technical bench Mark Barasa, while underscoring the importance of such a win. 

GSU shoot down Evergreen to move closer to ECAHF semis slot

"We are taking this competition one game at a time and after our near-loss in the opening match against Uganda Prsisons, we made some adjustments and the second match against Evergreen was better. 

We know Equity are a good side with very experienced players so we have to find a winning edge today as this will leave us with one last hurdle to finishing the group matches unbeaten," Barasa told Mozzart Sport. 

The bankers, on their part, are on a redemption path after back-to-back losses to former champions Rwanda Police and Uganda Prisons. 

Thursday's action will see a Ugandan derby get things going as Uganda prisons take on Evergreen while later UPDF play Rwandese side Gicumbi in the men's competition.

The women's category has NCPB ladies playing Nkajja of Uganda, a side that forced a 37-all draw against the defending champions Nairobi Water on Wednesday. JKT conclude the day's action against KDF's Ulinzi Sharks.