Kenya’s handball team wary of threat from DR Congo at continental Games in Accra

The national men’s handball team believe that DR Congo is the biggest threat even as their African Games programme started last evening in Accra, Ghana.

Coach Peter Mwathi said he is happy that for the first time, they will evade all the Arab teams in the preliminary round of the games.

“We have been grouped in Pool B alongside hosts Ghana, Benin and DR Congo and I am confident we will prevail,” he said.

He said most Congo players are experienced and play professionally in France and that makes them a big threat.

Kenya were expected to play hosts Ghana last evening and face Benin on March 15 and Congo on March 18.

He said they were with DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations a month ago in Cairo but did not have an opportunity to meet them because they were not in the same pool.

He, however, said there is nothing to fear because he has been observing and studying DR Congo for the last six years and knows what to do.

He said the Kenyan players have what it takes to progress in the games but know it will not be easy.
“We have prepared the players both physically and psychologically and we are generally ready,” he said.
The coach said the good thing is that there are no injuries in the team and they can only hope for the best.

He said the Kenyan team is a mix of youth and experience and they complement each other very well.

“Most of our players are young and just coming out of university. Let me just say the future is bright and we will be untouchable in the next five to six years,” he noted.

He said there is a player like Rashid Ngwela, who is a very good back-left for the Kenyan team and will be featuring for Kenya on the International scene for the third time. He first took part in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2016 in Cairo and was back in 2020 in Tunisia.

The tactician also cited goalkeeper Victor Otuoma, who is also the team captain. He said Otuoma has 15 years of experience in the game and he is a key member of the team.

Brian Wahuka is another good line player with good height and the tactician thinks if well-positioned, he can be a handful for the opposition.
Captain Otuoma on his part said handball is all about one step at a time and they can only hope for the best. He said as far as he is concerned, they have grown in the game and they have nothing o fear.

He said the last time they met Ghana was at the 2011 African Games in Brazzaville Congo and they beat them.