Prisons face stern Ahly test in Africa volley pool phase

Local giants Kenya Prisons are drawn in the proverbial Pool of Death in the 2017 Women’s African Club Championships where they will champions Al Ahly of Egypt in the event that spikes-off in Tunisia on Friday.

The drawing of lots was held in Monastir, Tunisia on Wednesday in presence of CAVB President Dr. Amr Elwani and Control Committee members.

Prisons who are five-time champions start their campaign against the record holders who have eight titles under the belt on Friday with Head Coach David Lung’aho acknowledging their backs are against the wall from the start in their bid to reclaim the crown.

“This is the trickiest pool but we are hoping for the best. The girls are in good spirit and we pray we meet with our compatriots – Kenya Pipeline in the finals.

“We look forward to a good performance. I know this is one trophy that has eluded our country for the last three years but we have to make amends and I believe the moment we capture this trophy, it will be very difficult to take it out of Kenya again,” the veteran tactician told Citizen Digital from Tunisia.

“Our aim is to continue working hard and we request Kenyans and our fans to pray for us,” Lung’aho urged.

The annual competition features 17 teams divided into four pools with Pool B featuring five sides.

Home side Carthage are drawn alongside debutants Ndejje University from Uganda and Asec from Cote d’Ivoire in a relatively easy group on paper.

Seven-time winners and national titleholders Pipeline are in Pool C with Bafia of Cameroon the rank toughest team in the cluster.

Draw

Pool A:  Carthage (Tunisia), Asec (CIV), INJS (CMR), Ndejje (UGA)

Pool B: Kenya Prison (Kenya), Ah Ahly (Egypt), University (Zimbabwe), Marsa (Tunisia), Bajaia (Algeria).

Pool C: Kenya Pipeline (Kenya), Sonatrach (Algeria), APR (Rwanda) and Bafia (Cameroon).

Pool D:  Shams (EGY), ARSU (SEY), Sfaxien (TUN), FAP (CMR)