Pipeline withdraws as transfer window closes

ason opener leg in Nyeri to prepare for next month’s (April 6-16) Africa women’s Club Championships in Tunisia.

The seven time African champions, who have shifted their training base from Embakasi to Kasarani Gymnasium, becomes the second women’s team to pull out of the opening leg after Nairobi Water withdrew due to lack of training venue for their preseason.

Pipeline were scheduled to face-off rivals Prisons Kenya in their first match tomorrow at Kamukunji Grounds.

But according to head coach Japheth Munala they have pulled out so that they can focus on next month’s continental show piece.

“It is true we are not going to Nyeri for the opening leg. We cannot shift training at an indoor facility to go and play in an open court. Our focus now is on the club championships,” Munala told Feverpitch.

Pipeline’s withdrawal leaves the first leg with only three teams namely last year’s runners up Prisons, Mount Kenya University and Kenya Commercial Bank.

“We have received a letter from Pipeline requesting for their withdrawal. Nairobi Water had also pulled out. So we will have only three teams on match day one. KCB and MKU will play the first match, while the rest will be decided on the venue. Men’s fixtures remain the same,” said KVF National Fixtures Secretary Ismael Chege.

Prisons Kenya will battle with their rivals General Service Unit in the Men’s League that will see a total number of 12 matches played.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Volleyball Federation League transfer window was officially closed on Tuesday night after a busy transfer period.

Nairobi Water and Co-operative Bank men’s teams have both acquired a number of players. Water have recruited Co-operative duo of Austine Barasa and Martin Kiptoo, Julius Mwai from Forest Rangers and youthful Nicholas Kipchirchir.

Co-operative have welcomed back Michael Njoroge from suspension and signed Nairobi Water’s Nobtar Kipkosgei and Nairobi Prisons’ Moses Tsialo.