Chris Musumba
24 April 2008
Nairobi — Good ball service will be crucial for the performance of the Kenya Prisons team on its maiden appearance at the Africa women club championship tournament, head coach David Lung'aho said Wednesday.
He however, said he is pleased with the players ball reception and blocking.
The coach was speaking during a function at the office of the Vice President and Minister for Home Affairs Kalonzo Musyoka where the team received the national flag. Kenya Prisons are national league champions.
Musyoka said he was confident the team will do well in Cairo and return as continental champions.
"Though it is your first time, you will face stiff challenge. Kenya is known as a powerhouse in volleyball and it will hard for you to topple other clubs including KCB also from Kenya." Said Kalonzo. "You need to be psyched up well to attain your maximum potential, the rest will just follow," said Musyoka.
The final team of 12 was named after two months of intense training. Six of his players - Jane Wacu, Mercy Moim, Lydia Maiyo, Diana Khisa, Judith Tarus and captain Praxicedes Agala have had international exposure with the national team.
Tour of duty
The rest (Fridah Efumbi, Elizabeth Nafula, Catherine Simuyu, Pauline Nyongesa, Joan Chelegat and Jane Jepkemboi) are on their first ever foreign tour of duty.
Lung'aho said morale was high in the team and cautioned his rivals KCB, defending champions Al-Ahly (Egypt) and Mauludia of Algeria not to underrate his team. He noted that the team's win in local league was deserved and, it would be crucial to extend the same at the continental level.
"I look forward to blend together the six players with international experience with the other novices. But each has earned her place in the squad and will deliver as expected," said Lung'aho.
Commissioner of Prisons Gilbert Omondi said his team will be in Egypt to prove their worth as true Kenyan volleyball queens and must strive to win the title.
Prisons volleyball team surprised many when it trounced their local rivals KCB and Kenya Pipeline to win the league last season and have now set their focus on the Club championship as a new feat to attain.
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