Battle of titans as teams make final attempt to bag KVF play-offs slots

Nicholas Matui (left) of General Service Unit (GSU) spikes a ball against Daniel Ngatia (second left) and George Okore of Kenya Forest Service during their Kenya Volleyball Federation National Men's League match at Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium on January 31, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The battle for play-offs slots in the ongoing 2024-2025 season of the Kenya Volleyball Federation Men’s National League will hit feverpitch as teams make their last shots to remain in the race for the title.

The mop-up matches will be played from today at the Nyayo Gymnasium and volleyball court. Several spots are still available with only the current top four sides assured of a place in the knockouts. 

="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/main-staging/sports/amp/volleyball-and-handball/article/2001512720/battle-for-kvf-mens-national-league-playoffs-slots-on-at-nyayo">Kenya Ports Authority< (KPA) top the table with 34 points but will not be in action because they have exhausted all their matches and have won 12 and lost two.

Defending champions Kenya Prisons are second with 32 points and a match at hand, while former holders General Service Unit (GSU) are third with 30 points from 11 matches. 

A good show in their remaining three matches against the National Youth Service (NYS) today, Prisons Nairobi tomorrow and Western Prisons on Saturday will see them wind up the regular season on top of the standings with 39 points. Equity Bank, who take on Kenya Forest Services tomorrow, are fourth with 28 points and are guaranteed a play-offs slot.

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Trailblazers Volleyball Club, Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU) and Prisons Nairobi who are ranked fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth respectively also have chances of maintaining their places in the top eight. 

Even so, ninth-placed Kenya Forest Services (KFS) cannot be ruled out yet since they have 17 points one less than KAPU and Prisons Nairobi. KFS also have four matches at hand while the duo have two each.

="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/main-staging/sports/amp/volleyball-and-handball/2001512961/kapu-upset-the-form-book-to-gun-down-kpa-in-five-set-thriller">Today, KDF who KAPU have 18 points from 12 matches and any slip-up in their last two encounters could crash their hopes of remaining in title contention. KAPU have won and lost six matches apiece and will be looking to finish strong against KDF and Prisons Nairobi to keep their hopes alive.

With four matches at hand and currently in fifth place, the KDF soldiers who have won seven and lost three are safe and just need to make the best out of their remaining encounters. They will face off with Kenya Army and Trailblazers tomorrow and finish their regular season against KFS on Saturday.

="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/amp/volleyball-and-handball/article/2001511036/champions-kenya-prisons-stay-put-at-the-mens-league-summit">In other matches, Trailblazers, who have 22 points from 12 outings, will be out to consolidate their place in the top eight when they take on KFS today and KDF tomorrow. 

Though ranked ninth, KFS also have higher chances of sealing a play-offs slot if they capitalize on their remaining four outings and secure as many points as they can.