Kenyans clubs spike their way to knockout stage in Egypt

Kenya Prisons players celebrate after beating NC Bejaia of Algeria during the Africa Clubs Championships in Cairo, Egypt on April 28, 2024. [CAVB Media]

Former Africa champions Kenya Pipeline have served their way into the quarterfinals of the ongoing Africa Women Volleyball Club Championships in Egypt while KCB and Kenya Prisons have reached the last 16.

Pipeline did so after winning their last Group C match against Saint Denis Olympique of Reunion in straight sets of 25-21, 25-11 and 21-8 at Al Ahly Sporting Arena in Cairo on Sunday night.

As a result, Kenya Pipeline accumulated maximum nine points from three matches having beaten Nigeria Customs Service 3-0 (25-16, 25-10 and 25-14) in their opening match and thereafter defeated Mavo Kane Evolution (MKE) of Cameroon 3-0 (25-19, 25-20 and 25-19) in the Pool C.

They were suppposed to play a team from Pool A in the last 16, but considering there were only three teams in the group, it means Pipeline will have an off day today as teams battle to reach the quarter-finals.

On their part, KCB who last won the title in 2022 defeated Sococim of Senegal by straights sets of 25-15, 25-18 and 25-10 in their last Pool D match having earlier won two matches to qualify for the Round of 16.

They face Asec Mimosa of Ivory Coast on Tuesday at 4pm.

KCB had beaten Litto Team Volley (LTV) of Cameroon 3-1 (25-21, 25-14, 19-25 and 30-28) and Association Sportive De Bejaia of Algeria 3-0 (25-16, 25-9 and 25-21) to finish top of their Group D with maximum nine points.

KCB’s technical Director Paul Bitok has however warned his players not to be complacent in their ambition to win the title.

Bitok said the task ahead of them is enormous and therefore players need to be keen in every match they play.

“We shall do our best as it’s always the wish of every coach to win but we must be keen on each team we play in the tournament. This is because they are also here for serious business,” said the experienced tactician.

Bitok spoke after the bankers had walloped LTV of Cameroon.

“Against the Cameroonians, we had a good service, which enabled us to get more counter attacks against them. We used our middle blockers in quick attacks to make our game faster and avoid two blocks from the Cameroonian team from our outside hitters,” said the tactician who once coached the Rwanda national team.

And as KCB made it to the Round of 16, former national league champions Kenya Prisons defeated NC Bejaia of Algeria 3-1 to register their first victory in the weeklong showpiece having lost their opening match to hosts Al Ahly 3-0 (25-21,25-8,25-19) on Saturday.

As a result, Prisons finished runners up in Pool A with three points to qualify for the Round of 16 after Al Ahly topped with six points.

During the match, the Algerians had won the first set 25-18 before the Kenyan ladies made a comeback in the second set to win 25-17.

In the third set, Prisons won 25-14, a development that increased their morale to win the fourth set 25-18.