Ulinzi reclaim Super Cup title in dramatic final as Water win
The military side, up against league holders and the defending champions National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) had to endure extra time sessions for a 37-35 victory over the millers.
In a dramatic Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) men's Super Cup final played on 1 June at Nyayo Handball Court, Ulinzi HC were crowned champions.
The military side, up against league holders and the defending champions National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) had to endure extra time sessions for a 37-35 victory over the millers.
Coach Nixon Oyaro did not let the absence of key scorer Kelvin Imo stop his side as they fought for a 27-all draw in regular time, sending the match to extra time that ended 31-all draw and the match had to be decided in another extra ten minute.
NCPB led 27-26 with less than ten seconds on the clock in regular time, but a costly turnover tied the score at 27 for the military side, a mistake that cost the Brian Mathew-led millers their third consecutive Cup title.
Nicholas Ireri and Frank Kiplagat led the onslaught with six goals each as the quartet of Gideon Mulwa, Moses Ndombi, Noah Cheruiyot and Phillip Isutsa scored five each for the massive win.
"We have waited for this win for years, not just in a competition decider but even in the regular league. I am happy that we have gotten it in a Cup decider.
This is the culmination of some serious work that we have put in training and preparing for the Super Cup. Winning in the manner we did, fighting to the last second was special and I cannot commend the players enough for a job well done," offered an elated Oyaro after the match.
In the women’s category, league champions Nairobi Water Queens were crowned champions, beating rivals Ulinzi Sharks by three goals as the two sides tied on points after three matches.
Gladys Chilo exploded for ten goals against NCPB Ladies in the final match of the round-robin competition for a 30-20 victory that saw the side defend the Cup title yet again.
Each of the four teams in the women’s Super-Cup lost at least once, with Sharks' victory over Water in the first weekend of action going down in history as the first for the Jack Ochieng-coached Water in over a decade in all competitions.
