Hosts Ngome made an impressive start to the Nyerere Cup Handball Championship, winning both their women's and men's opening matches in an action-packed day at Ngome Stadium on October 9, 2026.
The hosts began their campaign on a high note in the women's category, defeating JKT 27-23 in a competitive encounter before their men's team edged Burundi's Brothers 34-33 in a thrilling contest decided by a single goal.
In another closely fought match, Burundi's SOS defeated Tanzania's Twalipo 31-28, adding to the excitement as teams battled for an early advantage in the competition.
Ngome women's coach Moshi Ally expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, thanking God that the match ended safely without injuries to any players.
He said the victory had boosted the team's confidence and expressed optimism that Ngome would maintain its strong form in the remaining matches, with the ultimate ambition of reaching the final and winning the championship.
Despite the defeat, JKT women's coach Lidia Kimaro remained optimistic, describing the encounter as a good contest while acknowledging that minor errors had cost her team valuable points.
Kimaro said her players would return to training to address the weaknesses exposed during the match, adding that the team was determined to improve its performance in the upcoming fixtures.
Meanwhile, Tanzania Handball Federation (THF) Head of Information, Public Relations and Marketing, Vedastus Gunda, said the tournament had started successfully, with all matches scheduled for the opening day completed as planned.
He urged handball enthusiasts to turn out in large numbers at Ngome Stadium to support the participating teams, noting that fan engagement would help create an exciting atmosphere and promote the growth of the sport.
The Nyerere Cup continues on October 10, with three matches scheduled, before the competition concludes on October 13, 2026.
The championship offers players an important platform to showcase their abilities, gain competitive experience and contribute to the continued development of handball in Tanzania and the wider region.