Kenya Prisons win fourth Africa Club Championships

By Oscar Pilipili

Buoyant Kenya Prisons team beat Pipeline in straight sets of 25-20, 27-25, 25-14 in a classic finale to clinch the African Women’s Clubs Championships.

The final played at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani will also see the wardresses travel to Doha, Qatar for the World Club Championships in October.

It was Prisons third win in a row out of four attempts.

The teams started off tight but Mercy Moim attack from the left and Agala’s strong blocks on Catherine Wanjiru put Prisons ahead 2-0 during the final played before a packed Moi International Sports Center gymnasium Saturday.

Lydia Maiyo then added three successive points courtesy of good coordination with setter Jane Wacu to extend the lead to 6-0 before Wanjiru attack gave Pipeline their first point. Prisons, who were more successful on blocks, then took 8-2 lead at the first technical time out.

Pipeline responded with a series of attacks from Wanjiru, Roseline Odhiambo and Esther Wangeshi cutting Prisons lead to two points at 12-11 before tying 14-14.

Diana Khisa’s hard blocks on Ruth Jepleting gave Prisons a narrow 16-15 lead at the second technical time out.

Crucial point

Pipeline scored to tie 16-16 but a precision attack by Maiyo saw Prisons regain one point lead 17-16.

Pipeline’s Japheth Munala introduced Lucy Chege and Rhodah Lyali for Jepngetich and Wanja in a bid to strengthen his squad at 23-19, but Prisons maintained consistency to claim the set 25-20.

The second set started on a high note with Pipeline gaining the first point off the opponents’ error but Prisons responded with characteristic missiles off Everline Makuto, Mercy Moim, Khisa and Maiyo to open five points lead at 7-2 before a flying attack by Agala handed the wardresses 8-3 lead at the first technical time out.

Chege combined well with Jepngetich, Asha Makuto and Monicah Biama to carry Pipeline back from the brink, scoring successive points to cut Prisons lead from six (12-6) to just one at14-13.

After tight contest Pipeline overtook Prisons for the first time to take 22-21 points advantage making the game even more exciting. The teams tied at 23-23, 24-24, 25-25 before a Makuto net dodge gave Prisons 26-25 advantage and Agala and Khisa’s double blocks on Asha handed the wardresses the set at 27-25.

Things proved hard for Pipeline in the opening stages of the third set as Prisons gained 8-5 points and 16-12 before winning the final set 25-14.

Chlef of Algeria beat Forces Armee et Police of Cameroon in straight sets of 25-17, 25-22, 25-23 in a play-off match to bag bronze. The tie was a close contest with teams exchanging leads as Loumi Yamina net dodge and Faiza Tsabet’s spike handed Chlef advantage.