Pipeline and Prisons target all-Kenyan final affair

Kenya Pipeline Corporation Women's Volleyball team after receiving the company flag from their Communications Manager Jasom Nyantimo last year. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO]

Kenya Pipeline head coach Japheth Munala has said that Kenya Prisons are their main threat in the 2016 Africa Club Championships that serves off today in Tunis, Tunisia.

The two local rivals have won twelve continental titles between them (Pipeline-7 and Prisons-5), but both hope to reclaim the title that has been elusive for Kenyan teams since 2013 when Prisons beat Algeria’s GS Petroliers 3-1 to claim it in Nairobi. Pipeline last won it in 2005 after edging out Egyptian side Al Ahly but came close last year only to lose 3-2 to their fellow record holders in Cairo.

Although Pipeline underlined their quality by beating Prisons in the national league playoffs last year, Munala says Prisons’ return to the continental showpiece after missing the 2015 edition is both a motivation and threat.

LOCAL RIVALS

“Of course our first threat comes from within and that’s Prisons. They missed the last edition, but being our rivals their presence will really motivate us. But there are also Tunisian, Algerian and Egyptian clubs who can pull an upset on any of us. They’ve always proven to be hard nuts to crack,” Munala told Feverpitch.

“But we are all psyched up and motivated to bring back the trophy. I believe my national team players like Janet Wanja and Noel Murambi will be instrumental for us.”

However, despite the stiff opposition from the North African clubs, Prisons coach David Lung’aho is looking forward to an all-Kenyan affair in the final.

“African volleyball has really improved at the club level and that’s why I expect every team to be a threat more so from Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and our local rivals Pipeline. At this moment in Africa, you don’t look down on a team. It is how you fight that will determine your fate,” said Lung’aho.

“But the fact that Kenyan teams have been in the last two finals since 2013 gives us the confidence as we approach the tournament. Both of us (Pipeline and Prisons) want to win and if possible make it an all-Kenyan affair in the final.”

The draws for the tournament that has attracted 18 teams were due to be conducted last evening.