GSU glide into quarters

GSU volleyball team players celebrates a point when they played against Kenya Prisons during the Kenya Volleyball Federation National League play-offs at the Makande GYM, November 26, 2016. Prisons won 3-2. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD]

Men's national champions General Service Unit (GSU) have qualified for the quarterfinals of the on-going African Club Championship in Cairo, Egypt with one match to spare.

The paramilitary side registered their fourth win in a row to sail through after thrashing Kampala of Uganda by straight sets of 25-16,25-21 and 25-20 in yesterday's Group D encounter at Ahly Hall in Cairo.

This was after the Kenyan champions had defeated Cameroon's Port, Wolaitta of Ethiopia and Algeria's Olympique 3-0 (25-19,25-23,28-26), 3-1 (25-16, 24-26,25-17,25-15) and 3-1 (20-25, 25-15, 26-24, 25-17) respectively.

Prisons Kenya also revived their hopes of reaching the knock out stages with a convincing straight sets (25-15, 25-19,25-18) victory over AS Police of Ivory Coast in a Group A tie yesterday.

It was a great bounce back for the warders from their 3-0 (25-12,25-18,25-17) defeat to favourites and hosts Ahly E on Thursday night.

Prisons now face a must-win situation against Uganda’s Nemo Stars in their final group encounter at 10am today before paving way for the group winner tie between their local rivals GSU and hosts Elgeish at 5pm.

And having already secured a ticket to the last eight, GSU head coach Gideon Tarus challenged his charges to remain focused and achieve their semi-finals target.

“I thank God and the boys for the job well done. We have already qualified for the quarterfinals, but I think we still have much work to do. So far, the players are okay and ready to face Egeish. We want to finish the preliminary round with 100 per cent record,” Tarus told The Standard Sports on phone from Cairo.

“We are on the right track but our target still remains to at least reach the semifinals.”

Promising right attacker Abiud Chirchir, who is making his second appearance at the continental tournament with a different team, is equally optimistic of inspiring GSU to the last four.

“Going by our performance so far, I think we have what it takes to achieve our targets. I feel so happy and proud of our performance. Everybody is motivated and eager to make history. We hope to finish our preliminary on a high note and focus on the quarterfinals,” Chirchir said. Chirchir was signed from UNIK of Rwanda last year.

But for Prisons coach Paul Muthinja, his side will treat this morning’s match against Nemo Stars like a grand final.

“We are just taking one game at a time. I believe we are focused and determined enough to give our best against Nemo. We know how important that match is and that is why we are going to treat it like a final for us,” Muthinja said.