Kenya shines at All Africa Games qualifiers

Kenya's men began their campaign at the CAVB Zone Five All Africa Games qualifier on a high, beating Burundi 3-0 in sets of (25-14, 25-13 25-20) in the opening match played in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Kenyan men, eager to emulate their female counterparts who easily qualified for the continental event in the women qualifiers played in Kampala, Uganda, late last month, went ahead to win their second match against  Uganda 3-0 sets of 25-22, 25-20 and 25-18 last evening.

Head coach Geoffrey Omondi, fielded a strong squad of David Kirwa, Sila Kipruto, Dennis Mokua, Micheal Chemos , Hudson Chesoli and libero Peter Kabata to do duties to the national team. With the absence of key players Phillip Maiyo and James Ontere Omondi's selection of the first six worked as they easily outclassed Burundi to inch closer to securing a slot to the  continental gamest. The Kenyans need to bear Rwanda today to clinch the All Africa Games ticket.

Omondi, who is facing his first ever national team assignment, was confident that his charges were equally good and will put up a hard fight against hosts Rwanda in their remaining match to secure the ticket.

"We set our goals coming to this event, we know what is expected of us and we will work extra hard to fulfil our purpose," Omondi told FeverPitch on phone from Rwanda.

In the second match, hosts Rwanda laboured to win against Uganda 3-2 (19-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-15 and 15-13) to remain in contention of the sole ticket to the continental event to be staged in Brazzaville, Congo in September.

Kenya, will today face off with Rwanda in their last match of the four-nation tournament. The last time the two teams clashed was in 2013 during the World Championship qualifiers and Rwanda overpowered Kenya in the five-set thriller.

Commenting on the match against Rwanda, Kenya team manager NdirunguI Iguanya said they will give the match the seriousness it deserves. "Only one slot is up for grabs ahead of All Africa Games and so we will put our best foot forward and pray that we emerge overall winners," Iguanya said on phone from Rwanda.

He also acknowledged that the teams have improved tremendously, but was quick to note the players were ready for the big battle.