Pipeline, Prisons in an all-Kenyan-affair quarters

Kenya Pipeline women volleyball team at the 2017 African Women Volleyball Club Championship in April, 2017. [Courtesy, CAVB]

All eyes will be on Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Prisons as the two sides renew their rivalry in an all Kenyan quarter-final of the 2017 African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship at Mzali Hall, in Monistar, Tunisia today (2pm).

This will be a repeat of the 2013 quarter-finals in Madagascar where Prisons overcame Pipeline 3-1 (17-25, 25-21, 25-14, 25-20) on their way to winning their last continental title.

Prisons failed to avoid a match-up with Pipeline, after the Kenyan champions thrashed a depleted Bafia of Cameroon by straight sets of 25-16, 25-7,25-14 on Tuesday to finish top of Group C as the wardresses saw off University of Zimbabwe 3-0 (25-15, 25-07,25-9) in their last Group B match the same day.

The two rivals clash barely five months after Pipeline beat Prisons 3-2 in the Kenya Volleyball Federation national play-offs to retain the title.

Although Prisons enjoy a good run against Pipeline on the continental scene, Prisons coach David Lung’aho is ready for a tough match.

“We believe it is going to be a tough match because we are rivals all through. We both want to win and bring the trophy back home, so it is going to be tough having a derby way from home,” Lunga’ho told The Standard Sports from Tunisia.

“But we are motivated by the fact that we have only lost to Pipeline in the local league and not in the club championship.

So, we hope to continue with the good run against them here today.

“We are psyched up and focused. Our main goal still remains to win the title but we must pass through this hurdle first. The players are in high spirits. They have been improving game by game and we are now at our best, ready to face any opponent.”

Just like Lung’aho, his national team deputy and Pipeline coach Japheth Munala expects an explosive match.

“Every team is prepared but we are eager to proceed. May the lucky and best team win,” said Munala.