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Kenya: Volleyball - Prisons Overcome Odds to Claim Crown
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The Nation (Nairobi)
8 May 2008
Posted to the web 8 May 2008
Chris Musumba
Nairobi
After missing out on the single Olympic slot to Algeria earlier in the year, local women's volleyball appeared destined for the woods with limited competitions lined-up.
But the sport has been given a lifeline as the country paraded some of its best stars in the 23rd edition of the Africa Club Championship in Cairo, Egypt, where Kenya Prisons became the first club to lift the crown in their maiden show.
Kenya's other side, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), seeking to clinch their second continental title, gave their best but could only manage the bronze.
The bankers lost their semi-final match to local rivals Prisons, effectively ending their title hopes. But they recovered to take the third slot with victory over hosts Al Ahly.
Until in the semis, no one had expected the wardresses to make an impact as they lacked experience and left their backcourt exposed most of the time, allowing their opponents to punish them.
But their confidence was boosted when they were paired with compatriots KCB in the penultimate stage.
Unlike their other matches, Prisons exuded confidence when they met opponents they had twice beaten at home to be crowned national champions.
The bankers, however, were not ready to lose on the continental stage as they began the match on a high note, at one time taking a 24-18 lead, needing just a point to bag the set. But superb Prisons blocks played the trick as they locked out KCB to tie at 24-24. Prisons went on to claim the set 27-25.
Top-clash volleyball
"You could see the urgency in the players. They wanted to win and showed that it is never too late. That I believe was the most important step in our quest to winning the crown, because we had been trounced 3-1 by Al-Ahly a day before and morale was low. Had we lost the first set, it would have been over for us," said David Lung'aho, Prisons head coach.
Prisons went on to claim another set. But KCB clawed their way back with a brilliant performance to level the sets 2-2.
In the fifth and decisive set, KCB rushed to a 14-11 lead, requiring just another point to finish the game and earn a ticket to the finals.
But luck was not on their side as they stagnated, courtesy of improved blocks from setter Jane Wacu, Praxicedes Agala and Diana Khisa, who helped Prisons to win 17-15.
"That was the most difficult match I have ever been in-charge of. We had all the things to our favour, led when it was important and scuttled the Prisons defence. But we ended up as losers. It feels so bad," said Bitok.
In the ultimate clash, Prisons were at no pressure to dismiss Mouloudia of Algeria 3-0, while KCB white-washed hosts Al-Ahly of Egypt to claim a 3-1 to finish third.
The tournament that attracted nine teams from Kenya, Egypt, Algeria, Botswana, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon.
"It was an anti-climax. The biggest match was between KCB against Kenya Prisons. It is rare for a volleyball match to last more than 90 minutes, we had two and half hours of top-clash volleyball that left fans thrilled," said Howda Mondy, the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) technical director.
The final ranking had Prisons at the top followed by Mouloudia, KCB, Al Ahly (Egypt), Al Shams (Egypt), Bafia Evolution (Cameroon), CV Canon (DRC), Nkumba University (Uganda) and Mafolofolo (Botswana).
Had oldest players
Despite finishing third, KCB remained the only club with the highest points in the statistics.
They won all their matches save for the one against Prisons, which they lost by just two points. Being the club with oldest players (captain Dorcas Ndasaba 38, Margaret Indakala 46, Esther Ouna 40), KCB surprised many.
"It all depends on individual commitments and how you handle the players. Most of these players had been relegated to the bench in their former clubs by young blood. I inspire and motivate them reminding them of their good days and they respond well," said Bitok.
One player that has gained out of the competition was setter Esther Ouna, voted the best server of the tournament.
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Picked from her office after retiring eight years ago, Bitok managed to return Ouna to peak form. He now intends to use her to win the East and Central Africa Club championship, which starts in a fortnight.
Other players honoured in the tournament were Mouloudia's Nassima Benhamouda as the Most Valuable, KCB's Ndasaba scooped the best spiker trophy, Diana Khisa (Prisons) was rewarded with the best blocker.
Ouna took home the best server, while Judith Tarus was the best receiver. Al-Ahly's Sara Talaat was the best digger while Fatima Oukazi of Mouloudia was the best setter.
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