Kenya Prisons Coach sad as Carthage crush title dreams

The Kenya Prisons Head Coach David Lung’aho admitted he felt pricked by defeat in the hands of hosts Carthage as his side crashed out of the 2017 Women’s African Club Championship in Monastir, Tunisia.

Carthage capitalized on home advantage to claim a 3-1 (25-21, 25-13, 24-26, 25-14) win over the five-time champions in Friday’s last four to seal a finals berth with Shams who delivered the upset of the tournament when they knocked out defending champions Ahly.

Shams prevailed 3-2 (25-19, 15-25, 18-25, 25-17, 15-8) in an epic five setter against compatriots and eight-time winners Ahly to ensure the continent will witness an all new champion with neither of the finalists having never worn the crown in the competition’s history.

Prisons, who had get Pipeline off their way en route to the semis, went on to lose 3-0 to Ahly in the third-place playoffs as a promising campaign ended fruitless but Lung’aho has urged his players to quickly regroup for their next challenge.

“It’s very sad because we wanted to go the finals. We have come far and we need to appreciate ourselves for the effort and also to thank everyone that has supported this team. Now we have to fight on and train harder to get to where we were because right now volleyball seems to be moving to the North Africans,” Lung’aho told Chamgei FM.

Carthage had trailed Prisons 6-5 in the first set but the rapturous home support roared them back into it as they scored seven quickfire points to lead 13-11.

Two blunders from Prisons saw them take the tie level on 14 but the hosts pulled away 16-15 going into the time-out.

Prisons rallied back to make it 16-16 after a service error and led 19-16 afterwards before Carthage restored parity.

The Kenyans then called for a time-out but still Carthage continued their charge, going 22-19 up. Lung’aho called for yet another timeout as he tried to slow Carthage’s momentum. That strategy did not pay off as the home side won 25-21, 25-13, lost the third set 24-26 before sealing their fate with a 25-14 win in the fourth.