Time running out for injury hit Pipeline ahead of African championship

Kenya Volleyball Women League champions Kenya Pipeline have been dealt a major setback ahead of their this year’s CAVB Women’s African Club Volleyball Championship.

With only one week to polish his team for the championship that kicks off on March 6 running to 15th in Cairo, Egypt, head coach Japheth Munala has four of his first team members struggling to regain fitness.

Thus, the seven-time continental champions could be without the quartet of Aggripina Kundu ,Christine Siwa, Easter Wangechi and Sinaida Yvonne for the Cairo tour.

Munala however is keeping faith the four will be fit by Wednesday before he announces his travelling party .

“Our final preparations are good but with four injured players its giving me headache. I hope they will be okay before we wind up our training on Friday. We are however optimistic of a good show in Egypt,” said Munala.

Munala’s counterpart David Lungáho of Kenya Prisons says he has been impressed by how his players are responding to the training, in the homestretch of their preparations.

“My players are in good shape and so far so good. The team is promising and we are ready to bring back the title to Kenya although I know it’s going to be tough. Hosts Al Alhy will of course give us a headache, but we are undetrred,” averred Lungaho.

Prisons, five-time champions, will be hunting their sixth title in this year’s edition and Lungahó is optimistic his team can repeat the feat of 2013 when they last lifted it in Madagascar, edging GSP Algeria of Algeria by 3-2 sets.

Lungáho, who doubles up as the Technical Director of the Kenya Volleyball Federation, will be boosted by newly signed Kwanthanze Secondary School alumni Sharon Chepchumba and Loreen Chebet, a left attacker and centre player respectively.

The two seasoned tacticians have confirmed their teams will be jetting out on Sunday for Cairo with the draws expected to be done immediately after their arrival.

A  total of 21 teams have confirmed participation in this year’s edition, including defending champions Carthage of Tunisia, their compatriots Marsa, 2017 silver medalists Shams Club of Egypt and their compatriots Alexandria Sporting.