DANN O’WERRE
Buccaneers star player Randy Ochieng blamed endurance as the reason for their close Kenya Handball Federation league loss to Black Mamba on Sunday.
Ochieng, who is enjoying top form to rank among the best goal getters, was once again his side’s leading marksman in the 27-24 defeat to Kaloleni-based Mamba with eight strikes.
“We lacked endurance towards the last two minutes. We had the game and there was no much difference against the two teams before we gave in towards the last few minutes,” said Ochieng.
“We gave two turnovers that made all the difference. We have to go back to training and learn how to kill a game altogether as well as how to focus and concentrate till the end. But in all, it was a good game that we all enjoyed.”
Buccaneers have won three of their seven matches to rank seventh on the table with seven points. Mamba on the other hand are placed ninth with six points from four matches.
Mamba, who took a close 14-11 difference at the breather, were propped by Bethwel Kiprop’s six goals alongside Morgan Juma and Donald Idacho, who managed five goals each.
Equity Bank, who won all their two weekend fixtures, shot to the top of the table with maximum 14 points from seven games, Ulinzi and General Service Unit (GSU) are second and third respectively with 12 points.
Leading the ladies table are champions Nairobi Water Queens, who have 10 points from five matches and a better goal difference compared to second-placed National Cereals and Produce Board and Ulinzi, who are third. The three giants are unbeaten in five games.
