NCPB edge GSU to stretch streak

Defending champions National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) maintained their undefeated run in the Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) Premier League after securing a hard-fought 22-19 victory over General Service Unit (GSU) at the Nyayo National Stadium.

​NCPB started the match on a high note dominating the first half with highly clinical finishing. The cereal men comfortably opened up a five-goal gap heading into the break with a commanding 13-8 lead.

Wycliff Ochieng was threat to the champions' frontline, scoring five goals, while teammate Geoffrey Kimtai proved equally instrumental, drilling in 4 goals past the GSU defense.

​The second half saw a completely rejuvenated GSU side. Refusing to go down quietly, the paramilitaries tightened their defensive shape and mounted a furious counter-offensive. Led by Newton Wamanyala who put on a masterclass performance scoring six goals.

​Despite pocketing the win, NCPB Head Coach Danstan Eshikumo pointed out that his squad still has areas to polish up after a long competitive break and a wave of new signings.

​"It was the first match after a long rest. So, I wasn't expecting us to do well. Also, I have been able to take in many new players, so the players haven't built good chemistry yet. But starting from the incoming matches, I know we will be more focused, we will correct one or two mistakes that have been seen today, and we will be able to play much better than today."

​On the opposing end, GSU Head Coach Joseph Okemwa expressed pride in his squad's fighting spirit, noting that squad depth limitations hindered them from fully turning the tide against the top flight's finest.

​"The match was very tough because we were playing the number one, the defending champions," Coach Okemwa said.

 "At least we managed against them. We scored 19 against 22. On my side, I am missing some key players, so the ones that remained played a good match today."

​Looking ahead, Okemwa made it clear that the team is ready to immediately get back to work to ensure they achieve their season objective-finishing in the top three.

​"We will go and train harder. The next matches, I think we have Lions and Kisiwa. We'll try our best to win those matches so that we can accumulate the points, so that we can finish in the top three."

​With this victory, NCPB extends its spectacular unbeaten record to 10 wins and 1 draw. While Equity HC temporarily sits at the top of the standings on total points due to having played more games, NCPB remains the true league leader on merit, boasting an incredible +126 goal difference with games in hand to fully reclaim the official top spot. GSU remains firmly in the hunt for the upper echelons of the table, sitting fifth with 15 points as the league enters its crucial mid-season stretch.

Other results of the day at the same venue, Desert Scorpions ladies edged out JKUAT 23-19 earlier in the morning and later Kenyatta university (KU) thrashed University of Eldoret (UOE) Pipers 23-13.