Three volleyball sides headed to Africa Games
KCB women’s volleyball team is fired up ahead of the African Clubs Championship assignments serving off in Kelibia, Tunisia, from today to June 1.
In the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) women’s African Club Championship, Kenya will be represented by KCB, Kenya Prisons and Kenya Pipeline.
KCB head coach Japheth Munala said he has been fine-tuning his charges through friendly matches and intense training sessions.
The Bankers, who finished runners up last season behind Kenya Prisons, have only played one league match this season against Vihiga County in February but are confident they can battle for silverware in North Africa.
Claim titles
Team captain Edith Wisa said that they have what it takes this season to go all the way and claim titles including Kenya Volleyball Federation Cup.
She admitted that the work they have been putting behind the scenes and the heartbreaks from last season has been fueling them to contest for the top spot.
“We are ready for the continental competition where every opponent has a different style of play so as to prepare well.
Last year we missed the title and I’m happy we’re speaking with one voice and our intentions are the same, going for glory.
Though the team is ready for the upcoming competitions, each and every player is psyched up and working bearing in mind every person has a chance to play,” Wisa said.
“We have a mixture of players, experienced and upcoming ones. One thing we are taking to Tunisia is that we have gelled well as a team,” said the captain.
She, however, expressed her discontent with the federation for the uncertainty in the league’s fixtures admitting it affects the players’ preparations.
Outside hitter, Mercy Moim believes her team is ready for continental competition after the long break without serious competition during the height of the covid-19 pandemic.
“We’re focused and everyone is ready for this competition and we really believe we will challenge for the overall title. Our fans should expect good results this season,” said Moim.
The players spoke yesterday when the playing unit and technical officials were treated to a breakfast farewell meeting by the Bank’s top officials.
In attendance was KCB Group Director Marketing, Corporate Affairs and Citizenship Rosalind Gichuru and Group’s Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Judith Sidi.
Meanwhile, 2005 champions Kenya Pipeline left the country yesterday with the hope of a good outing.
The team, which boasts six titles, last tasted victory in 2005. In 2015, they came so close but were so far away.
They made the final but fell to hosts and record champions Al Ahly of Egypt 3-1.
Middle blocker Triza Atuka attributed last year’s poor show to lack of proper preparations and inexperienced players.
“It’s unfortunate we haven’t played our local rivals KCB and Prisons in recent times. We have only faced Kenya Prisons whom we beat during the Nandi County Governor’s Cup early this year in Kapsabet. And so we can’t gauge ourselves because the continental championship will be a different ball game. We are hopeful of good results,” said Atuka, 2017 African best blocker.
