Kenya Beach Handball Team Vows Rematch Against Senegal at 2025 African Youth Games
Kenya’s Under-17 beach handball team is determined to overcome their rivals Senegal, should they meet in the final of the 2025 African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola, on Wednesday. The Kenyan squad, coached by Evans Owino, is seeking redemption after a narrow defeat to Senegal earlier in the championship.
Kenya has enjoyed a strong start to the competition, accumulating 11 medals – four gold, three silver, and four bronze – as of December 16, 2025. The team’s performance has drawn praise from Kenyan officials and signals a promising future for the nation’s sporting talent.
Narrow Loss Fuels Kenyan Resolve
Senegal secured a 9-8 victory over Kenya in a shootout on Monday, December 15, 2025, after the match ended in a 1-1 tie in regulation sets. Despite the setback, the Kenyan team remains optimistic. “We started slowly in the first set and when our girls composed themselves we were able to get a win in the second set,” said head coach Evans Owino. “Being the first time many of our players are playing on this stage, there was a bit of panic. But we are telling Senegal that we are ready for a rematch in the final.”
The West Africans dominated the first set with a 14-03 win, but Kenya responded strongly, winning the second set 18-10 and forcing the match to a decisive shootout.
Rivalry Rekindled on the Global Stage
The rivalry between Kenya and Senegal in beach handball has intensified in recent years. The two nations made their debuts on the international stage at the 2025 IHF Youth Beach Handball World Championship in Tunisia, where Kenya emerged victorious. This history adds further weight to their current clash at the African Youth Games.
Kenya previously secured straight-set victories against South Africa and Angola, while Senegal also defeated Togo and South Africa. Both teams are considered frontrunners to reach the final.
Captain Chembe Confident in Team’s Analysis
Team captain Neema Chembe expressed confidence in her team’s preparation. “They were better than us tactically in the first set and were near perfect in their swings,” she stated. “We are not downplaying the threat posed by the other opponents but we have analysed the matches we’ve played and Senegal offers the strongest challenge.”
Kenya will continue pool play on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, against Togo, while Senegal will face Angola. The semifinals and final are scheduled for Wednesday.
Diplomatic Support and Future Olympic Aspirations
Kenya’s ambassador to Angola, Joyce Khasimwa M’maitsi, lauded the team’s performance and emphasized the importance of the championship as a platform for developing future global stars. “The athletes who are doing duty for Kenya here in Luanda are our next stars,” she said. “They are dedicated, very disciplined and whenever they are stepping on the field they are playing with a sense of patriotism.”
M’maitsi also highlighted the championship’s significance as a stepping stone towards future international events, including the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar and the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games.
The success of the Kenyan team at the 2025 African Youth Games underscores the nation’s growing potential in beach handball and provides a glimpse into a bright future for Kenyan sports.
