Africa-Press – Kenya. Reigning champions Nairobi Water Queens drubbed Jeshi La Kujenga Taifa 35-23 in the East and Central Africa Club Championships in Zanzibar on Tuesday. The eight-time winners, who are also the national champions, got off to a promising start, taking a 20-12 half-time advantage.
Brenda Lunyagi bagged eight goals, captain Gladys Chilo hit seven and Cecilia Katheu added six. The Tanzanians had six from Haitham Juma and five from Aisha Mohammed. Queens are 2-0 up after thrashing Ngome of Tanzania 37-19 in the opener. They took a 16-6 advantage at the break.
National team stars Brenda Ariviza and Chilo superbly led the favourites well oiled offensive moves. Ariviza provided eight goals, Katheu six, Chilo five while Faith Mikhala and Brenda Kunyangi managed four each.
In the men’s match-up, Jeshi La Kujenga Taifa (JKT) also suffered a 32-20 defeat at the hands of the National Cereals and Produce Board. The millers, who lost last year’s finals going down 28-27 to Rwanda Police, took a 17-12 lead at the breather. They are also 2-0 up.
Timothy Kirimi managed five goals while William Malui and Brian Makuria bagged four a piece for Bryan Mathew’s charges who have vowed to go one better this year.
NCPB also blanked home team Nyuki 37-22 in the tournament’s opening fixture. Kirimi hit seven goals, Muli shot six with John Wante and Robert Maranga adding four each.
“The game was good. We missed few chances in the opening minutes then got back on track,” offered NCPB tactician Mathews.
“Our opponents were a good team but we outshined them with our team discipline, patience and cutting our turnovers.” NCPB women’s side had to fight tooth and nail before beating JKT in a tight tussle. The winners led by a close 17-16 advantage at the breather.
Sarah Mabonga showed the way with 10 goals, Addah Misilibi buried seven goals while Sheryl Atieno shot six for NCBP. JKT had eight from Haitham Juma and Salama Kombo hit six.
A total of ten teams are taking part in the tournament thus —NCPB, Nyuki (Zanzibar), Ngome (Tanzania) and Jeshi La Kujenga Taifa (Tanzania). Women: Nairobi Water, NCPB, Ngome, Jeshi La Kujenga Taifa (Tanzania) and two teams from Burundi.
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