Handball: UPDF make statement start at ECAHF club championships
In the men’s category, UPDF also recorded a strong win, beating Kenya’s Black Mamba 30 to 26 in a tense fixture that kept both sides locked in battle for the full 60 minutes.
Black Mamba player try to block the UPDF player with the ball during their ECAH Game at Old Kampala . UPDF won 30-26. *Photos by Johnson Were)
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The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) made an impressive start to the East and Central Africa Handball Federation (ECAHF) Club Championship, winning both their men’s and women’s opening matches at the Old Kampala Arena.
In the women’s category, UPDF edged defending champions Uganda Police 33 to 31 in a tightly contested encounter. Drana Tiperu scored a game-high 11 goals for UPDF, while Adams Juma Bell added nine for the army side. Drama Nakamya also contributed 11 goals in a spirited performance.
The victory has boosted UPDF’s confidence as they push for further success in the tournament, with the team now targeting qualification for the knockout stage.
“We are more than happy because defeating the defending champions is not easy. That motivates us but again challenges us to work harder because our aim is to get to the next stage of the knockouts,” coach Sulaiman Muhamad said.
In the men’s category, UPDF also recorded a strong win, beating Kenya’s Black Mamba 30 to 26 in a tense fixture that kept both sides locked in battle for the full 60 minutes.
Prisons' goalkeeper Viola Azayo try to save the goal by Nairobi Water's Mekina Andawa during their Game. Prisons lost 27-41.
Elsewhere in the women’s competition, Kenya National Waters overwhelmed Uganda Prisons 41 to 27, while in the men’s category, Uganda Police fell to Kenya Cereals 40 to 23.
Despite the loss, Police coach Aziz Yakub remained optimistic about his team’s prospects.
“We just started at a slow pace, but we are going to come back strong in our next games with a major aim of making it to the knockout stage,” Aziz said.
The championship features two pools, with the top two teams from each pool progressing to the semi-final stage.
Action continued Monday with Muzunga of Burundi facing Uganda Prisons, while Uganda Police takes on Kenya Cereals in the women’s fixtures. In the men’s matches, Brothers of Burundi face Kenya’s Black Mamba, while Rwanda Police face Kenya Cereals.