Kenya down Zambia: Home boys beat rivals in World Championships qualifiers

BY OSCAR PILIPILI

Kenya’s Mike Chemos makes a fine save in their World Championships Qualifier match against Zambia at Safaricom Indoor, yesterday. [PHOTOS: DENNIS OKEYO / STANDARD]

Kenya overwhelmed Zambia 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-17) in a one-sided match to achieve their second victory in the men’s World Championships qualifiers, Africa Pool “U” played at Safaricom Indoor Arena yesterday.

The result brought Kenya win-loss record to 2-1 while Zambia dropped to 0-3.

Kenyan head coach Gideon Chenje said: “Our chances to qualify for the World Championships are slim but this being a competitive event anything can happen.”

“We’re not giving up till last match against Botswana. If we don’t make it, there is always another time,” Chenje said during a press conference.

Kenya can only qualify if Cape Verde defeat Egypt making home side to advance on sets ratio if they beat Botswana in their last match today.

Egypt have won all their three matches and need to beat Cape Verde who have win-loss record on 1-2 today to reach the World Championships.

Zambian coach said, “The event is competitive but we tried what we could. We hope the experienced gained here will be of great use in future.”

Zambia captain Ephraim Lumbala conceded the match against Kenya was a tough affair as he said: “Kenya were stronger but we’ve learned new skills.”

Host captain Philip Maiyo hopes they win today and qualify for global contest.

“Volleyball is a tricky game and any team between Egypt and Kenya can make it. But we’ve to wait for the result of the Egypt verses Cape Verde to know our fate,” he said.

Maiyo used the chance to declare that he would contest for one of the positions in the forthcoming Kenya Volleyball Federation elections, expected to be conducted in April.

He said: “I take this opportunity to announce that I would run for a position in forthcoming elections. I have played professional volleyball for eight years and I have learned many things that can help improve the sport.”

Maiyo promised to reveal the position he intents to vie for after the ongoing event.

Outstanding egypt

Egypt had outclassed Botswana 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-9) in the first match to keep their record clean.

Chenje did not take chances as he started with the squad of Cornelius Kiplagat, Mike Chemos, James Ontere, Saul Wafula, Wesley Rono, setter Daniel Kiptoo and libero John Ndung’u.

Kenya started the match on the offensive claiming the first three points before Zambia came back to bring the scores to 3-2.

Home boys wasted no time as they cruised to 8-3 lead at the first technical time out before making it 16-11 at the second break.

Kenya powerful attacks of Chemos, Kiplagat, Ontere and Rono penetrated the weak defence of Zambia to attain important points and propel the team to 25-15 set victory.

Kenya dominated the second set taking 8-4 lead at the first break. Zambian net players Jack Chongo and Peter Kombahiya were outstanding in blocks and attacks.

Chenje brought in Sila Makiso and rested Rono with Kenya up at 16-8. The host side had little difficult in winning the second set 25-15.

Then  Philip Maiyo was introduced for Ontere and Elisha Aliwa for Kiptoo as Kenyans continued to dominate.

Kenyan players treated fans to exciting matches of powerful attacks and jump service that landed in Zambia court with precision.

Kenya would go ahead to win the set 25-17 and wrap the match in straight sets.

––[email protected]