Men's volleyball team books Nations Cup slot: Kenyans shock hosts Rwanda in qualifier

Volleyball The national men volleyball team after they beat Rwanda on May 24 in Kigali to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt in October. [Courtesy]

Volleyballers hit back after shock loss to Uganda in opening match.

National men’s volleyball team has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations slated for October 16-22 in Cairo, Egypt, after winning the overall regional title at the just concluded CAVB Zone V World Championship qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.

The continental event will see only the top two teams secure a ticket to represent Africa at the 2018 FIVB World Championships to be held in Japan between September 30 and October 21.

Having had a false start to the four-team tournament after a shocking 3-2 (24-26, 21-25, 25-17, 26-24, 12-15) defeat to Uganda, the youthful Moses Epoloto’s side made the impossible possible.

They produced a remarkable performance to beat hosts and pre-tournament favourites Rwanda 3-1(25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 25-21) in a decisive encounter on Monday night.

This was just after they had revived their qualification chances with day two’s 3-0 (25-17,25-10,25-15) thrashing of South Sudan.

However, it was Monday’s sweet victory over the hosts that saw Kenya emerge the overall winners with seven points and secure a ticket to Cairo alongside Paul Bitok’s Rwanda, who finished second with six points, one ahead of neighbouring Uganda.

Kenya looked confident right from the start fighting hard to win the first two sets (25-23, 25-22) before their hosts slowed them down by claiming the third set (23-25).

However, like a wounded lion, the Kenyans regrouped with the experienced left attacker Michael Chemos combining well with captain Jairus Bett and setter Sam Juma to destroy the Rwandan defence and clinch the fourth set (25-21) to the dismay of the home crowd.

“I expected a tough match, but I knew we would win. Our plan was to beat Rwanda by straight sets, they were lucky to get a set. I saw signs of victory just after our first ten scores in the first set. We all know that anything is possible in sports, so we never ruled out ourselves,” a delighted Kenya coach Moses Epoloto told The Standard Sports from Kigali.

“The third set was closely contested, but luckily for us by the time we were going into the fourth set they had used all their substitutes. So, there was nothing new to add in the fourth set.

“We didn’t have the best preparation but we have done it. Conquering East and Central Africa is just the beginning of better things to come. Our focus now shifts to the continental tourney in Cairo with target being to qualify for the world championships.”

Despite the defeat, Rwanda coach Bitok praised the youthful Kenyan team and challenged the Kenyan Volleyball Federation to fully support them.