Champions National Cereals and Produce Board return to Kenya Handball Federation league action with two matches at Nyayo Stadium this weekend.
The unbeaten Millers, who are fourth on the log with 36 points, are aware that a slip-up could complicate matters at the top.
This is proving to be a race like no other with leaders Ulinzi with 41 points, General Service Unit second with 40 and Equity Bank third with 38.
NCPB start against Randy Ochieng’-led Buccaneers on Saturday and meet Kaloleni-based Black Mamba, fifth, on Sunday.
“We will do our best in the hunt for maximum points. It’s going to be a tough match since both teams are good. But we will focus on one game at a time,” said NCPB coach Bryan Mathews.
Buccaneers’ Ochieng’ who missed two games due to personal commitments will be back guns blazing.
“We have a tough game against Cereals but it’s one of our favourite matches when full house. We always trouble them. It won’t be easy more so after last week’s mixed results. We promise to give our best and fight to the last whistle,” noted Ochieng’.
A clash between Ulinzi and GSU is expected to produce fireworks.
“It is going to be a tough game. We have trained well. What remains is for the players to display what they have done in training,” said Ulinzi coach Nickson Oyaro.
Women champions Nairobi Water Queens, who are second with 38 points, face a stern test against third-placed NCPB, two points adrift.
“My women’s team is ready for Nairobi Water. This will be a good display of women’s handball,” said coach Byan Mathews.
Kitale-based Trans Nzoia play four games, against Engineers and Strathmore University on Saturday and against Daystar University and Anthony Naburuck’s National Youth Service (NYS) on Sunday.
Boomerang have three matches — against Nanyuki, Hunters and Inspired.
Fixtures
Saturday
Trans Nzoia v Engineers
NCPB v Buccaneers
Equity Bank v Jkuat
Strathmore v Trans Nzoia
Ulinzi v GSU
Boomerang v Nanyuki
Sunday
Trans Nzoia v Daystar
Boomerang c Hunters
NYS v Trans Nzoia
Inspired v Boomerang
Black Mamba v NCPB
Water Queens v NCPB