GSU ready to attack Egyptians as Prisons seek to jail Egypt’s Elgeish in tonight’s African Club Championships quarter-finals

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].

 

It’s down to last eight in continental tournament 

General Service Unit (GSU) coach Gideon Tarus has warned Egyptian giants Ahly to under-rate them at their own peril when the two sides clash tonight (7pm) in the third quarter-final of the the 2018 African Club Championship in Cairo, Egypt. 

The eagerly awaited encounter will be followed by the 9pm knock-out match pitting another Kenyan team, Prisons, against hosts and Group D winners Elgeish.

Prisons and GSU booked quarter-final dates with their Egyptian counterparts after both finished second in their respective groups.

The paramilitary side lost 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 26-28 and 25-19) to Elgeish in a thrilling Group D final match on Saturday night while the warders bounced back from their 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-17) loss to Group A winners Ahly to beat Uganda’s Nemo Stars by straight sets.

Having already gauged themselves against two North African clubs in friendly matches before the tournament, Tarus said they were in for a tough battle as they aimed to pull off a surprise in the quarter-final.

“We are here by merit and just like any other quarter-final, do not expect it to be an easy game. It is always good to be considered as underdogs, but we know our capability,” Tarus said by phone from Cairo.

“In sports, anything is possible. So, let them (Ahly) under-rate us at their own peril.”

“The boy’s morale is still high. We have tried to rectify our mistakes, especially receiving and jump-service, which were our main undoing against Elgeish.

“If we perfect our reception today, then everything will be okay for us. But to be honest, our game has really improved and the boys have been superb when it comes to receiving float services.

“We have a target to achieve, so we are not going to give up.”

Prisons coach Paul Muthinja is equally prepared for the explosive match against Elgeish.

“I have great expectations and believe we have what it takes to contain them. The mood is encouraging and everybody is focused. Elgeish is a good team with quality players, but we are ready to take them head-on,” said Muthinja.

Libya’s Swehly will play counterparts Ahly B.