Kenya volleyball queens not done despite African tumble

Despite their quarter-final exit at the African Women Volleyball Club Championship in Tunis, Tunisia, Kenya Prisons Head Coach; David Lung’aho, believes  the future for his team and the country’s female game is still bright.

The five-time champions were knocked out 3-1 (25-19, 25-22, 25-27, 25-18) on Thursday night by hosts Carthage who went ahead to upset their rivals, record continental club champions -Kenya Pipeline- by the same margin (21-25, 31-29, 25-23, 25-15) in the semifinal to cap off one of the worst tournament outings for the Kenyans in recent memory.

When Kenya was eliminated from the Rio 2016 Olympics qualifiers by Egypt at the semi-finals of the African qualifier; maybe it was a warning signal that the power in continental women’s volleyball is shifting to the North.

Seven-time African and domestic champions, Pipeline, had the consolation of stopping another rising sensation in the sport after beating Rwanda Revenue Authority 3-1 (23-25, 25 -14, 25 -22 , 25 -17) to bag the bronze medal on Saturday but it should not hide the fact that North Africans have two teams in the final.

“We are used to having one of our own in the finals if not both. This was a bad year for Kenyan volleyball but the future looks bright,” Lung’aho told Citizen Digital.

“Prisons might be out for now but it’s a team to watch in the near future. We have at least six players who are young and are expected to mature soon and take this game to the next level. We might be down but we are definitely not out,” he affirmed.

Prisons paraded a largely a youthful side with most of the players having their first international  outing and to make it past more experienced sides into the last eight to their coach who’s future at the club remains uncertain was commendable.

Japheth Munala of Pipeline on side stated that the semis tie against Carthage was tough and even though they lost out, they gave it their all.

“It’s been over a decade since we last won the trophy and obviously we wanted to win it. They were a tough side and to finally win the bronze medal isn’t too bad,” Munala added.

“It’s a transition stage for us and for Kenyan volleyball. Younger players are coming through the ranks so it will take them more time to adopt to the game at this level. We have a lot to do this year and I believe by the time the competition resumes next year they will have the valuable experience needed to challenge for the title,” the Pipeline boss offered.