KDF launch handball league campaign

In Summary

• Oyaro takes over from Kaviti Nyagah who guided the team to a second-place finish last season.

Former national team player Nickson Oyaro will take charge of the Kenya Defence Forces when they open their Kenya Handball Federation national women’s league campaign against Mt Kenya University-Thika on Sunday at the Kaloleni grounds, Nairobi.

Oyaro takes over from Kaviti Nyagah who guided the team to a second-place finish last season.

The soldiers had been out of action for over four months now and Oyaro disputed reports that the team had been disbanded.

Oyaro said after the team participated in the Chief of Defence Forces Bora Cup last November, several players went on leave while others reported back to work and thus they couldn’t assemble a squad to participate in the league.

“What matters is that we are back in action and ready to challenge for the title. I know we are way behind the pack and we will have to play many matches to catch up with other teams but we are ready and willing. We are keen not to drop points along the way,” said Oyaro.

“This time round we have to get it right. The team has always started well in the previous seasons but faded as the league gathered momentum.”

However, a player who sought anonymity said all was not well in the KDF camp, which delayed their participation in the league.

“There is a pull and push between a few people here. Changes in the technical bench in between the season is the proof. Officials have personalised the outfit and they field the players that they want. Players that go against their wish are removed from the squad and that kills the morale in the squad,” said the player.

“We have a good team and if only we could get our act together-we would be a force to reckon with.”

In other matches in the men's league, former champions Black Mamba return to action with a tie against Boomarang seeking to topple Strathmore University - who are not in action on Saturday - from the top of the standings.

Black Mamba remain unbeaten with 24 points from 12 matches same as Strathmore although the students have a superior goal difference.

A win against Boomarang will move Mamba two points clear of STarthmore.

FIXTURES (men league unless stated)

Saturday

NYS v NCPB (women league - 9am)

Makueni Bees v Makueni Thika (10:20am)

Boomarang v NCPB (11:40am)

Inspired Boy’s v KDF (1pm)

Makueni v Thika (2:20pm)

Boomarang v Black Mamba (3:40pm)