The 2024 Africa Women’s Handball Championship kicks off today in DR Congo, with Kenya’s Women’s National Team facing one of the tournament’s favorites, Senegal, in what promises to be a thrilling start.
The match marks the beginning of the World Championships qualifiers, adding extra significance to the competition for the Kenyan team.
Co-coaches Ochieng Oduol and Jack Herbert have steered the team through rigorous preparations, and despite being placed in a tough Group B alongside Senegal, Cape Verde, Algeria, Egypt, and hosts DR Congo, there is a sense of confidence in the camp.
“We have prepared adequately and gone through the paces and formations with the girls. We believe the team is prepared to do duty for the country, and the aim is to reach the quarters and plan from there.
“Since this is also a qualifier for the World Championships, we want to finish in the top five to earn a spot at next year’s World Championships in Germany and the Netherlands,” remarked Herbert.
Meanwhile, the Ulinzi men’s Handball team and University of Eldoret Pipers delivered some thrilling action in the Kenya Handball Federation League over the weekend at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Ulinzi thrashed Young City 46-16 in a one-sided encounter, dominating from start to finish with a strong offensive display led by Solomon Kimayewa, who scored eight goals, supported by Kevin Wasike and Cliffe Wanjala with six goals each.
In another exciting match, the University of Eldoret Pipers triumphed over Boomerang Handball Club 42-34. The game was a back-and-forth contest, with Pipers maintaining a five-goal lead at halftime (22-17).
The Pipers’ quick pace and teamwork, with Frank Kavita and Austin Ochieng contributing 12 goals, proved too much for Boomerang, despite a stellar performance by Alphan Ogwora, who scored 11 goals for his side. In other games, Daystar University defeated The Citizens 36-22 in a dominant performance, led by Peter Gachware (nine goals) and Andrew Obukui (eight goals). The National Youth Service (NYS) women’s team also triumphed, defeating Desert Scorpions 35-26.
