GSU, KPA win to set up mouthwatering final day playoff decider
Championship chasing General Service Unit (GSU) and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) both won on matchday 2 of the 2021/22 Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Men’s League playoffs on Saturday at the Nyayo National Stadium to set up a mouthwatering title decider on Sunday.
KPA defeated Kenya Prisons 3:1 (23:25, 25:16, 25:19, 25:11) at Nyayo’s indoor arena while GSU got the better of league newbies Trailblazers in straight sets of 27:25, 25:20, 25:14.
After defeating Prisons 3:1 on matchday 1, GSU now have six points at the top of the playoff standings following Saturday’s win and lead KPA by a single point after the Mombasa-based side picked up two points from their five-set thriller with Trailblazers on Friday.
Both teams will now go into their final day fixture, set to serve off tomorrow from 2 pm, knowing very well that securing the three points will decide this season’s title in their favour.
GSU titles
After the win over Trailblazers, GSU head coach Gideon Tarus, who is gunning for his seventh title as coach of the paramilitary side and sixth on the trot, was cautious with his words as he assessed his side’s chances of winning an unprecedented 15th title.
He said, “We have done our bit and won today against a very good team that plays with a lot of heart. Tomorrow we will be up against another very good team and will need to be at our optimum best and there is no shortcut.
“I cannot say that we will win but that is the intention. I cannot speak too much on our opponents and will have to watch them play later on today and plan accordingly for tomorrow’s game.”
During the regular season, in which both teams finished tied at the top with 40 points, KPA inflicted GSU with their first regular season loss in more than a decade which according to the Dockers’ head coach Sammy Mulinge is all water under the bridge and will count for nothing going into tomorrow’s showdown.
Playoffs are different
He said, “The payoffs are different from the regular season. Take for example today we defeated Prisons who defeated us in the regular season. You can’t dwell on the past. The team that executes its game plan the best will take the day.”
No matter the outcome tomorrow, both GSU and KPA have already secured qualification for next year’s Africa Club Championships as they will finish in the top two positions.
Five-time champions Kenya Prisons are having a torrid post-season and will be playing for pride against Blazers in Sunday’s early serve-off.
David Lung’aho’s men sit bottom of the standings without a single point while Trailblazers, in their maiden season in the top flight, have one point.
Sunday’s Fixtures;
Trailblazers vs Kenya Prisons – 10 am
GSU vs KPA – 2 pm
