Kenya Pipeline bag bronze at continental Club Championship
Kenya Pipeline clinched bronze medal at the CAVB African Women’s Club Championship after defeating KCB in an all-Kenyan third-place play-off battle at Al Ahly Sporting Arena in Cairo, Egypt on Saturday.
In a captivating showdown, Pipeline carried the day after winning 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-16, and 25-16). The Bankers under coach Japeth Munala had won the first set 25-18 after a superb display that left fans at the stadium asking for more. Led by their captain Edith Mukuvilani, KCB overpowered Pipeline in the first set with their tactical approach to the game, with Belinda Barasa, Elizabeth Sokoiyo, and Pauline Chemtai dominating the proceedings.
However, Pipeline recovered from the upset to level the sets with a close 25-21 win, and this was after KCB had enjoyed the lead in most parts of the set. In the third set, Pipeline emerged winners 25-16 and they sealed the final set 25-16 to win the bronze medal.
On Friday, Pipeline’s hopes of reaching the final went up in smoke after losing to the hosts Al Ahly in the semi-finals. Al Ahly overpowered the Kenyan Queens with a commanding victory of 3-1 (25-15, 19-25, 25-18, and 25-13). The North Africans claimed the first set with a score of 25-15 despite a poor start from the Kenyan side but the Kenyan outfit bounced back in the second set to win 25-19.
Meanwhile, KCB were eliminated from their quest to win the title after going down 1-3 (25-22,12-25, 11-25, 21-25, ) to Egyptian giants Zamalek in the semi-finals. The Bankers had recollected themselves in the second set but lost it. The third and fourth sets were however, taken by the Egyptians whose experience was well displayed throughout the match.
Another Kenyan team, Kenya Prisons finished fifth in the tournament after winning their fifth and sixth playoff final. Prisons showcased their resilience as they fought back from a set down to secure a 3-1 victory (17-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-22) against LTV of Cameroon.
