adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
BLACK Rhinos began their campaign in the Zimbabwe Handball Premier League Northern Region on a good note over the weekend when they beat Houghton Park Sharks in the opening matches of the season. The PHL roared into life on Saturday with eight men and four women teams taking part at Houghton Park Primary School.
However, it was the game between Black Rhinos and Houghton Park Sharks that proved to be the match of the day as the two teams put up some good performances.
Rhinos emerged as the better team of the day.
The Harare-based side, who have been playing handball for quite some time, overpowered Houghton Park Sharks 30-24 with Vusani Zulu scoring 10 goals.
Innocent Botimani weighed in with eight goals while George Mashonganyika contributed five goals to lead their side to victory.
Although Black Rhinos won the match, their coach, Njabulo Zulu said there was still a lot that needs to be done.
“It’s an achievement and I can say handball is improving. As the first game of the year, the level of competition was low, you could see some problems here and there so I cannot say it was a tough match. “I needed more scores. We have to train harder to improve because I cannot say we played well,” said Zulu.
Zimbabwe Handball Federation secretary general, Alphios Magiya, said they were happy with the way the games went.
“It was a very good event and the teams came in their numbers only that women’s teams were fewer than expected.
“We had Marondera Tornadoes as well as Kuwadzana from Mashonaland West, so it added flavour to the event.
“They had registered but had not confirmed.
“We had a mixture of the young, in terms of upcoming talent, and experienced players. Most experienced players were coming from Black Rhinos and Manyame, they have senior experienced players.”
Results
Men: Top Alliance 30, Kuwadzana Banket 12; Houghton Park Sharks 24, Black Rhinos 30; Marondera Tornadoes 31, Manyame 35; BEC 19 BBS 46.
Women: Goromonzi Eagles 33, Houghton Park Sharks 0; BEC 20, Banket 5.
Online Reporter