Kenyan, Egyptian clubs renew rivalry in Africa Club Championships semis

Kenya Pipeline setter Emmaculate Nekesa spikes the ball during their 2024 Africa Women’s Volleyball Club Championships quarter-final match against Litto Team Volley of Cameroon in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday. [CAVB Media]

It will be an affair between Kenyan and Egyptian clubs in the semi-finals of the Africa Women’s Volleyball Club Championships at Al Ahly Sporting Arena in Cairo, Egypt on Friday.

All the four teams taking part battling for the final ticket come from Kenya and Egypt, a development that has exposed the two countries as the continental volleyball giants.

National champions KCB take on defending champions Zamalek as former national champions Kenya Pipeline face off with Al Ahly in the other match.

All these teams have the requisite skills and experience to win the title having lifted the trophy before.

And as the two countries battle for their supremacy in the continental volleyball, KCB are determined to reclaim the title they last won two years ago. “We just need to carry on with the momentum that has seen us reach these stages. And we’ll not underrate any team in the fight for the top honours,” said KCB technical director Paul Bitok.

He said they have advised their players to improve on their serving so that they do not lose many balls as happened during their quarter-final match against compatriots Kenya Prisons.

“Poor servicing made us lose lots of balls against Prisons and we must improve on this if we are to win the title. And we cannot afford to repeat the same mistake against an experienced side like Zamalek,” added Bitok who doubles up as the Kenya Volleyball Federation deputy president.

Just like KCB, Kenya Pipeline head coach Esther Jepkosgei said her charges are ready for Al Ahly test.

“We are here for a purpose and the mission is to win the title. So we’ll tackle Al Ahly with the seriousness it deserves to qualify for the final,” Jepkosgei said.

“We have watched Al Ahly play and we know their strengths and weaknesses. We are ready to face them.”

Once again, captain Edith Wisa, Juliana Namutira, Esther Mutinda and Mercy Moim are expected to lead the bankers against Zamalek.

Enroute to the last four, KCB trounced their compatriots Kenya Prisons 3-0 (25-20, 25-22 and 25-17) while Kenya Pipeline also dismissed Litto Team Volley of Cameroon by straight sets of 25-20, 25-22 and 25-15.