Equity Bank are upbeat about their chances when the East and Central Africa Handball Championships throws off in Nairobi on Sunday.
The bankers’ coach, Peter Mwathi, said his newly formed side has no injury concerns and is, therefore, raring to go. However, they have a slight setback in leftback, Rashid Ingwela, who has to attend his mother’s burial on Saturday.
“The training has picked up very well. I am coming up with new strategies befitting such competition,” said the veteran tactician.
“We don’t have any injuries except that one of my key players, Ingwela, who also plays for the national team, lost his mother who will be buried a day before the tournament throws off.”
“I will travel with some players for the burial in Kakamega on Friday and return after the ceremony. We will give him a day off to be with the family and expect him to join us on Monday.”
Mwathi, who won the regional championships with the National Cereals and Produce Board 25 years ago and also guided Strathmore University to a third-place finish in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 2018 said he does not lack in experience.
“Some few players have experience in the championships and, as usual, teams with experienced players always have an added advantage,” he said.
However, he expects things to change now that he has moved back to club handball with the bankers.
“We are looking forward to better results even though we are only a few months old in what I am building. This will be a good platform for me to evaluate the work I have done so far and what the future holds for us in big competitions,” he noted.
Mwathi said their recent displays in the league will inform how they approach the eight-day championships at Nyayo Stadium. He said he has not had much trouble at Equity since most of his players are from Strathmore University and understand his philosophy.
The bankers are second in the league with a maximum of 20 points from 10 games just as leaders NCPB. Other Kenyan teams in the tournament include champions NCPB, KDF, GSU and Black Mamba in the men’s division. Nairobi Water Queens and NCPB will feature in the ladies’ category.
