Kenya Pipeline off to flying start in Cairo
Kenya pipeline volleyball players in briefing session at Makande KPA Hall ahead of league match on November 25, 2014. Pipeline began the hunt for their eighth African Club women’s championship title with an impressive 3-1 win over FAP of Cameroon in Cairo, Egypt on March 27, 2015. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA |
What you need to know:
- Left attacker Asha Makuto was outstanding during the match in her new role as a libero
- Wanja told Nation Sport that she is optimistic that they will achieve their ambitions of returning home with the title.
Kenya Pipeline began the hunt for their eighth African Club women’s championship title with an impressive 3-1 win over FAP of Cameroon as the competition served off in Cairo, Egypt on Friday.
Left attacker Asha Makuto, who returned recently from a season-long injury lay-off, was outstanding during the match in her new role as a libero, with experienced setter Janet Wanja and right attacker Esther Wangechi also impressive at the October Stadium.
The Japheth Munala-coached side were off to a flying start and easily dismissed the Cameroonians on a 25-12 score in the first set.
They however allowed the opponents back into the match after failing to deal with their attackers, allowing the Cameroonians to take the second set 25-20.
Wangechi, Monica Biama and Gaudencia Makokha however returned more determined for third set, giving the hard fighting opponents no chance on their way to a 25-20 win.
Munala’s charges were more brutal in the last set which ended 25-16 in their favour. Friday’s win means the seven-time champions are through to the competition’s quarter finals.
CONFIDENT OF VICTORY
Speaking on phone from Cairo, a jubilant Wanja told Nation Sport that she is optimistic that they will achieve their ambitions of returning home with the title.
“We didn’t struggle much during the match and if the current form is anything to go by, then I have no doubt that we will be the 2015 champions,” she said.
The other Kenyan team in the competition, Kenya Commercial Bank, were drawn in Pool B where they will have to face defending champions GS Petroliers of Algeria and multiple winners Al Ahly of Egypt.
The bankers are scheduled to begin their 2015 campaign tomorrow against the defending champions from 5pm local time.
In the Pool D matches played Friday, Vision Volleyball Club of Uganda recorded a 3-1 (13-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-15) victory against Injis of Cameroon in their debut match in the continental tournament, while Carthage of Tunisia beat Seychelles’ ARSU 3-0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-13).
