•The long-serving tactician saw his charges taste defeat in over a decade as they suffered a 27-26 shocker at the hands of Bungoma-based Rangers.
•Rahab Nanjala and Esther Butali posed so many problems, notching seven and five goals respectively for the Rangers.
Image: HANDOUT
National women’s champions Nairobi Water Queens coach Jack Ochieng is concerned after losing his first Kenya Handball Federation (KHF ) league game in 11 years.
The long-serving tactician saw his charges taste defeat in over a decade as they suffered a 27-26 shocker at the hands of Bungoma-based Rangers.
"It's sad. Today we have lost it. What hurts is that I have players out there who would have won this game for me but they didn’t show up,” noted Ochieng
"Three of my key players were missing and two of my upcoming stars were involved in University games,” three explained.
"Since winning our first league title in 2013, we have never lost a league game. But I am happy good players are coming up and we will regroup."
Water Queens, winners of the national title for over a decade, knew it was not going to be business as usual. The youthful Rangers forced them to a 13-13 deadlock at the break.
Rahab Nanjala and Esther Butali posed so many problems, notching seven and five goals respectively for the Rangers. Gail Eucabeth had nine and Brenda Musambai eight for the champions.
"We won this match because of mind games,” explained Rangers coach Musa Ndombi.
"With this victory, I have now beaten all the big three teams in the league having already beaten Cereals Board and Ulinzi.”
Water Queens are still top of the chart with 26 points from 14 games. Rangers are fourth having garnered 18 points from 12 matches.
Rangers men beat National Youth Service (NYS) 43-33 after leading 20-19 at the break. Yusuf Pwoka nailed 23 goals while Nguta Nguma replied with eight.
"We did well until the last few minutes as they pulled away from a two-goal cushion and went all the way as we failed to score,” offered NYS coach Anthony Naburuck.
Rangers missed three late penalties and paid the price as they went down 20-19 to Black Mamba who scored the winning goal through Sydney Omondi.
Inspired deflated Technical University of Kenya (TUK) 38-29 after taking a deserved 22-17 half-time advantage as Augustine Kemei shot 10 goals.
Israel Ino and Lewis Makunbo added seven a piece for the winners. Tuk had six each from Jacob Mariari, Julius Nganga and Michael Okuko.
In the women's category, Ulinzi Sharks ripped Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) 37-14. Sarah Wasike hit 11 and Sharon Mulei 1 for the soldiers.
Rangers led 12-8 at halftime and went on to thump Mountain Queens 29-19. Belinda Mulongo scored six goals.
In other games, the General Service Unit (GSU) whipped the Hunters 51-21. Erick Nyamweya shot 12 and Christopher Mayende eight.
Rangers clobbered Inspired 48-28 as on-form Pwoka scored 11 goals and Brian Masinde added another eight. Masinde also nailed eight goals as Rangers dismissed Young City 36-21.
Ulinzi Sharks had nine goals from Sharon Mulei and seven from Sarah Wasike as they blanked Rangers 32-21.
Rangers dimmed Amazon 39-19 as Jentrix Masika grabbed 11 goals and Diana Baraza managed nine. NYS did enough to defeat Rising Star 34-31 behind 10 goals From Lydia Mutindi.