•The Rwandese who are 2021 champions posed all sorts of problems for the bankers and were in control for long spells in this game.
•Equity were down 15-14 at half-time and would have tied but missed a penalty before the time whistle went
Image: CHARLENE MALWA
Equity Bank lost 29-28 to Rwanda Police in a tough East and Central Africa Handball Clubs Championship (ECHAF) match at Nyayo National Stadium.
The Rwandese, the 2021 champions, posed all sorts of problems for the bankers and were in control for long spells.
Equity were down 15-14 at half-time and would have tied but missed a penalty before the whistle went. Both teams were involved in a tight battle to the finish with the losers' last-gasp efforts failing to pay dividends.
"We were found lacking in defence as they caused us problems from their way of running from one position to the other," said Equity coach Peter Mwathi.
"We made up our minds and minimized the scores in the last four minutes. Maybe we should have started seven minutes before the end of the game. If we win all our remaining games, we will get into the semis."
Mbesutu Tunguwe shot the winners' seven goals and Rwamaywa Viateux had five. Equity had six from Inon Nutuku and four from Kelvin Obingho.
In another Pool 'B'match, the General Service Unit (GSU) had to work extra hard to beat Uganda Prisons 29-28.
The Kenyans took a good 15-9 lead at the break but had to survive a strong Ugandan rally to bag maximum points.
Fenwick Opicho led GSU with seven goals while Prisons had six from each of Kongo Ibrahim and Ojok Gilbert.
Last year's runners National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) women's side ravaged Jeshi La Kujenga Taifa (JKT) 40-23. They led 24-12 at halftime and had nine goals from Naomy Muyoka, eight from Annette Barasa and seven from Joan Akinyi.
The Tanzanians were led by Zawadi Juma, who had seven goals while Jonisia Edward added five.
Meanwhile, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) beat Uganda People Defence Forces (UPDF) 45-43 in a ping-pong encounter. The Kenyan soldiers, who trailed for most of the afternoon, have to thank Salim Mwarome and Isaac Kiplagat, whose late strikes ensured they carried the day.
KDF trailed 20-18 at intermission in this give-and-take tie. The Ugandans built a five-goal cushion and KDF charged right back tying the duel 32-32 and 33-33.
With five minutes to play, UPDF moved four goals up at 38-34 but the never-say-die KDF stayed on their heels with grit and determination.
With time running out, KDF did well to lock it 41-41, 42-42 and 43-43 before striking at the right time.
“We had poor finishing but we ended it well,” said KDF coach Nickson Oyaro. “They are a tough team and so are the Kenyans teams. But teamwork will make us win.”
Kevin Imo led with 10 goals while Gideon Kiprotich and Kiplagat scored seven each.
Tuesday fixtures: KDF v Nkajja (W), Equity Bank v Uganda Prisons, NCPB v UPDF, JKT v Juba City (W) and Juba City v Gicumbi