Munala returns to KCB from Kenya Pipeline

This year’s Kenya Volleyball Federation national women’s league runners up Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) have announced the appointment of Japheth Munala as the new head coach to end weeks of rumors surrounding his stay at the Kenya Pipeline.

Earlier this week the seasoned tactician had confirmed he was in advanced talks with KCB over a deal, plunging his future with the immediate KVF champions in the dark and had termed his return to the bankers as inevitable.

In a press release sent to the newsrooms, the Ruaraka-based side said they decided to appoint Munala banking on his experience ahead of the busy 2019.

“We are delighted to have Munala back at KCB. We are hoping to tap his expertise, style, and philosophy in volleyball to take the team to the next level in local, regional and continental competitions”, said team patron Judith Sidi Odhiambo.

Munala who doubles up as the national volleyball women’s head coach left KCB in 2012 for Kenya Pipeline where won four straight KVF league titles between 2014 and 2017.

His first stint at KCB came between 2006 and 2011 were he guided them to winning their first ever African Club championship title in 2006 and KVF league in 2008.

The decorated coach saw his impressive winning streak with the Embakasi based outfit halted by Kenya Prisons on Monday finishing third behind champions and KCB thus missing a slot for Africa Club Championship for the first time over a decade.

The bankers masterminded one of the most remarkable comebacks in Kenyan volleyball history to storm through to Africa Club Championship.

The Africa returnees thumped Pipeline 3-2 and Bungoma County 3-0 to end the 2018 season with 5 points behind champions Kenya Prisons. The bankers return to the continental scene after a 6-year absence.

At the same time, the appointment of Munala which took effect December 5, 2018 has also seen the volleyball outfit bring in 7 new players, completing a transformation that is meant to drive the team’s performance next season.

The new players include Kenya’s most valuable Centre player Violet Makuto, left attackers Noel Murambi and Leonida Kasaya, centre players Jemima Siangu and Christine Njambi, setter Veronica Kilabat and left attacker Truphosa Chepkemei.

KCB technical team now comprises of Head Coach Japheth Munala, Assistant Coach David Kinga, Strength and conditioning Coach Philadelphia Orlando and physio Simon Kibe.