KENYAN CLUBS TRIUMPH: Prisons beat Injis and Jos as Pipeline also win in Tunis

Khisa Ramukiru of Kenya Prisons (C) with Moim Sukuku block a spike from Rose Mugoi from Kenya Pipeline during theier 24th Women's African Club Championship match in Carthage, Tunisia, April 25, 2014. Kenya Prisons won 3-1. Photo/Stephen Mudiari/Piccentre. (TUNISIA).

Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Prisons started their 2016 Women’s African Club Championship on a positive note.

The Kenyan flag bearers showed their intent of bringing the trophy home after demolishing their group rivals by straight sets in the opening day of the competition on Friday in Tunis, Tunisia.

When leaving the country, the  clubs had promised to strive and battle all the way to the final where they hope to face each other and be sure of the trophy that was won by Egypt’s Al Ahly last year comes back home.

Record holders Pipeline overcame the Police of Ghana 3-0 (25-20,25-15,25-17) in the tournament’s Group C opening match as five time winners Prisons thrashed Cameroon’s Injis by the same margin (25-19,25-17,25-23) in a Group D encounter.

Prisons followed up their opening win on Friday with another 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-8) win over Jos South Rocks of Nigeria yesterday.

Defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt also had a winning start to their title defence flying past Algeria’s Wilaya Bejaia 3-1 (22-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-21) in Group B as hosts Carthage humiliated Ndejje of Uganda 3-0 (25-11, 25-13, 25-14) in a Group A clash.

Both Pipeline and Prisons were pleased with their day exploits with Prisons head coach David Lung’aho describing middle-blocker Edith Wisa and debutante Emmaculate Chemtai’s performance as “brilliant.”

“That was an excellent performance by the team. They showed character, good fighting spirit and controlled the game from the word go,” Lung’aho told Feverpitch on phone from Tunis.

“Wisa was outstanding with her fantastic services and attacks while Chemtai made her debut with an all-round performance. That’s just but brilliant.”

Just like Lung’aho, Pipeline captain Noel Murambi was motivated by the victory.

“I thank my teammates for winning the first match. No team is easy to beat here and as the tournament progresses it will be tougher,” she said.

Pipeline take on Sanatrach of Algeria in their next match today at 7pm Kenyan time.