Win over Daystar instrumental to our title quest, says Sharks coach Ochieng

Ulinzi Sharks head coach Victor Ochieng believes Sunday’s win against Daystar University, was instrumental to their quest for the title, terming the varsity side as one of the best.

The defending champions crushed the varsity side 40-29 in the handball league, to maintain their perfect start of the season.

Marshalled by in-form attacker Martha Lavender, Sharks showed an early intent, launching strings of attacks from the onset to lead 19-15 at half-time.

Second-half produced a similar show with Lavender and Euphresia Mukasia combining well in the attack to give the reigning champions the deserved victory, much to the delight of Ochieng.

“Yesterday’s win was very important for us; it was not an easy clash. Daystar is one of the four teams that have the ability to take us head on and we are relieved to have snatched all the two points,” Ochieng told Citizen Digital.

Ochieng was in awe of his side's emphatic win, promising to work on improving his defence that leaked in goals that could have easily been defended.

The experienced tactician says being solid at the back will give them an edge as they aim another historic unbeaten season.

“We are not yet at the top most level we want to be as a team. We still have to work on our defence because there are some mistakes we made that we can easily avoid. As we score goals we should also defend well and have a bigger goal difference.”

“We will take each game at a time and our aim is to defend the league unbeaten,” Ochieng, who lead the Soldiers to their second consecutive title last season, added.

He also praised attacker Martha Lavender who notched an impressive 16 goals, describing her as the ‘protagonist of the team’.

“Lavender is an incredible girl who is the pillar of the team. She takes in instructions, executes them well and is willing to learn. We are glad to have her and she’s destined for greatness.”

Ulinzi Sharks sit atop the table on six points after three matches, two above rivals Nairobi Water and National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) who, each, have a game to play.

They face National Youth Service in their next clash looking to extend their unbeaten run to four games.