Oscar Pilipili
26 April 2008
Nairobi — Kenya Prisons and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) will launch a twin-pronged assault on the women's African Clubs Championship Volleyball crown.
They flew out to Cairo Friday with the hope of making an impact on the event that starts Sunday. KCB won in Mauritius in 2006.
Kenya registered three teams, but Kenya Pipeline pulled out early this month.
Kenya Commercial Bank players led by player/coach Dorcas Ndasaba train at Kasarani on Tuesday for the Africa Club Championship. Picture: Tabitha Otwori
Prisons coach, David Lung'aho, said the teams were strong and well prepared to win in Egypt. "Prisons and KCB have young, and energetic players who can tame the North Africans including Egyptians," Lung'aho said before departure.
"We have players with international experience and hope they will utilise the knowledge to win the event," said Lung'aho, who is taking Prisons to their maiden continental tournament.
International players include captain Praxides Agala, Jane Wacu, Mercy Moim, Lydia Maiyo, Judith Tarus and Diana Khisa. They were in the team that featured at the World Cup last year in Japan.
They also travelled with the team to the African Olympic qualifier in Algeria in February.
KCB boasts of world-class players including player-cum-assistant coach Dorcas Ndasaba, Jackline Baraza, Mildred Odwako and Doris Palang'a who were all in Japan and Algeria.
KCB coach, Paul Bitok, said they hoped to win the tournament and make up for Kenya's failure at the masculine event where General Service Unit lost in the quarter-finals in Libya last week.
"I'm sure the teams will do well at the championships although North Africans are usually tough at home," he said. Bitok said he would use his knowledge of North African volleyball to tame their opponents. Bitok was a professional player in Tunisia.
Kenya Volleyball Federation vice-chairman, Martin Makokha, said the local teams have good chances in Egypt.
"The two teams are likely to be placed in different pools and if happens, they should finish at the top to avoid meeting in the semi-finals," Makokha said.
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