Moment of reckoning as Ulinzi face GSU test

Former Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) champions Ulinzi HC suffered a shock defeat to Kenyatta University (K.U) HC in their last men's league match and as they take on General Service Unit (GSU) on Sunday 1 August, many wait to see whether the K.U loss was a slip-up or the military side's ship is sinking. 

Ulinzi's loss to K.U came on the back of a 23-21 slim win against hard-fighting Buccaneers and now they are faced with yet another acid test as to whether their dominance is being challenged. 

GSU who have recruited heavily after their debut last season was unimpressive, have gone six matches unbeaten. The Allan Odhiambo-coached Soldiers picked their win in an edge-of-the-seat encounter pitting former champions National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to set a precedence for upsets. 

"We have had weaknesses especially on our wings but we have worked on that and will be ready for Ulinzi. We are not underrating them neither are we afraid, we approach the game with the respect the opponent deserves and give it our all. For us it is one match at a time as we look to finish in the top three for a chance to play in the Super Cup," said GSU captain Mark Barasa. 

Strathmore gets better of Buccaneers to extend KHF lead

Meanwhile, it will be a busy day for coach Gerald Juma as his Ranger HC and Rangers Women take to the court against Hospital Hill's Inspired Boys and Nanyuki Women respectively. Later in the day, the tactician who also serves as head coach for Makueni Bees, a Mbooni Boys high school team, will lead the youngsters in their first match of the season against military side Thika. 

"The men's team won their matches on Saturday against Generation and Boomarang but we struggled against the latter. The fatigue of travel and that first match was getting to us but also we had underrated what Boomarang were capable of and we had to fight to keep our lead. They played a slow game to try and stop our runs since speed is one of our strengths and they almost succeeded," 

"Going into today's match we cannot make the same mistake. Inspired are here for the experience and therefore have nothing to lose. They take the match to their opponents and we will not be complacent as that could be costly," said Juma. 

In other men's league matches, Boomarang host Technical University of Kenya (TUK) at 9 am before taking on Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) later in the day. 

In the women's league, only one match is scheduled. Rangers Women face league leaders Nanyuki as they look to rise from their 55-19 loss to holders Water Queens. Nanyuki are coming off a 26 all draw against K.U Vampires. 

"The ladies team won their match against JKUAT on Saturday morning before meeting Water Queens. Nerves played a bigger part in the loss to Water Queens. My players lost the battle before they got to the court as they went in with the opponent's achievements in mind. Against Nanyuki, we will play our game and push for a win despite them being at the helm of the league standings," said Juma.