Gitau picks setter Magoi to captain Pipeline

Kenya Pipeline head coach Paul Gitau on Friday named the club’s seasoned setter Rose Magoi as the new club captain.

Magoi was handed the captaincy to lead the six-time African women’s volleyball champions following ex-captain Trizah Atuka’s long spell on the sidelines, as she recovers from a career-threatening knee injury she sustained last year.

Speaking after the event held at the club’s base in Embakasi, Gitau said it was the ”best decision” to relieve Atuka of the huge responsibility of leading the team, in order to fully focus on her recovery.

“Atuka has done a great job as captain but she is yet to recover fully and we can’t have a leadership vacuum in the team, hence the changes. I believe we will tap into Magoi’s experience to propel our team to the next level because she has been in the club for over seven years now,” Gitau told Citizen Digital.

Magoi who joined Pipeline in 2011 from defunct Blue Triangle will be deputised by fast-rising middle blocker Gladys Ekaru as the reigning African Clubs Championship bronze medalists aim to impress in the domestic campaign.

Gitau, who took charge of the team last January, says he is laying the groundwork with the former champions as he eyes to reclaim both Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) women’s league and continental titles.

The six-time African champions have managed a third place finish in the last two years in the league despite dominating the local scene for five consecutive years from 2013 to 2017.

“It’s not that we’ve become a pale shadow of our former selves but a third finish for us in the last two seasons is not good and I’m sure next season we will wrestle for the top league honours.”

He added: “My squad has been training for over a month now albeit in small groups and we just hope to get back to action soon.”

On whether veteran setter Janet Wanja will continue to keep her place in the team once the KVF league resumes, Gitau said the latter is a very key member of his squad.

The 35-year-old star, who has a decorated career spanning 18-years, was sidelined in the first leg of this year’s botched season but Gitau says she is still in her plans.

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Coach Paul Gitau pipeline Rose Magoi Trizah Atuka

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