Kenya's pride KPA maintain unbeaten run in Africa volleyball championship
Volleyball and Handball
By
Ernest Ndunda
| May 13, 2022
Kenya Ports Authority men's volleyball team in a training session in Mombasa. [Omondi Onyango]
Kenya Ports Authority are yet to lose a match in the ongoing 2022 African men's volleyball club championship in Tunisia.
The dockers showed little mercy to their opponents Espoir of the Democratic Republic of Congo as they defeated them 3-1 (25-22, 17-25, 25-17, 25-21) to top Pool C as the event enters into quarterfinal stage tomorrow (Saturday).
Jimmy Mwaniki, Peter Kamara and Levis Ogutu were outstanding for the Kenyans.
Coach Sammy Mulinge said the players were prepared for the match.
"My target is we go past quarterfinals," said the coach. "It was an incredible performance as we took command of the game ensuring we won in three straight sets."
"We are playing a new format approved by the CAVB board and administration where all teams qualify for pre-quarters before the quarters" he added.
Captain Sammy Ngeny was excited with the win, saying; "We are improving with each match and we are determined to go past the quarterfinals."
KPA started the event with a 3-2 win over Madda University of Ethiopia before they beat AS Injs of Ivory Coast 3-0 (24-15,25-17,25-17) to register their second straight win.
The other Kenya's representatives, Equity Bank, registered their first win after losing their last two opening matches.
The bankers had to apply all their energy to outclass Port Douala of Cameron 3-2 (16-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 15-11) in a pool D match.
The bankers lost their opening match 3-0 (25-21, 25-12, 25-19 to Customs of Nigeria before going down 3-1 (18-25, 25-22, 17-25, 18-25) to Rwanda's Gisagara volleyball club.
Abraham Kiplagat, Kennedy Mugo and Siret Elisha played well for the bankers.
In other matches played on Wednesday night, defending champions Esperance of Tunisia kept their unbeaten run intact after silencing Ethiopia's Wollaita Dicha 3-0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-15) in a pool B match.
AS INJS defeated Madda 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 24-26, 25-14) in a Pool C, while Al Ahly easily dismissed FAP of Cameron 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-18) in a Pool A encounter.
Gisagara struggled to beat Customs 3-2 (20-25, 25-16, 24-26, 25-17, 15-13) in a Pool D.