New Pipeline boss Gitau promises to go all out in hunt of silverware

Newly appointed Kenya Pipeline head coach Paul Gitau has vowed to restore the status of the six-time African Club champions as the top women’s volleyball outfit on the continent.

The former national women’s team boss, who replaced former Kenya international Margret Indakhala on Tuesday, says he will tap into his vast experience to turn the fortunes of the Oilers around.

Among Gitau’s assignment in his already packed diary will be to ensure the Embakasi based team reclaims the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) title which they have missed since 2017 as well as the African glory which has eluded Kenyan teams since 2013.

“Pipeline is a big club which has a lot of respect in Kenya and beyond, and I’m ready to help them reclaim their lost glory locally and beyond Kenya,” he told Citizen Digital.

Despite mass exodus experienced in the club in 2018 following the exit of former coach Japheth Munala, the Japan-trained Gitau is banking on the young players to conquer again.

“I have been a coach of under-20 team here in Kenya for a long time and I know how to work with young squad like the one I have found here. Pipeline has many young players like Ekaru (Gladys), Mutinda (Esther) and it’s good as a coach to lay down your foundation with young blood,” Gitau said after conducting his first training with his new team on Wednesday.

The national under-20 coach team coach is best remembered for guiding a second string Malkia Strikers team to the African Games glory in 2015 and three continental titles with defunct Telkom.

Kenya Pipeline is among the most successful teams in the continent having won the Africa Club title in 1995, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005 and are the 2019 Africa bronze medalists.

However, Gitau who signed a three-year deal with Pipeline added that he is ready to face a baptism of fire in his bid to turn the tables for the Oilers as he is aware how other Kenya’s bigwigs have revamped their squad ahead of the new season.

“I know the other teams like KCB have had a busy off-season that has seen them revamp their squad with new signings and the league’s champions Kenya Prisons are also poised to give us a big challenge in pursuit of the local glory, starting next month,” he underscored.

The regular national league is slated to serve off February 14-16 in Nyeri.

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Kenya Pipeline Paul Gitau Volleyball

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