Rampant Kenya seek thorough Burundi beating

Burundi have been the whipping girls at the ongoing Zone V All Africa Games volleyball qualifiers in Kampala and Kenya, naturally, are expected to make an easy meal out of them today afternoon.

The African volleyball queens have an impressive 100 percent record in the qualifiers from two matches against Egypt (3-1) and Uganda (3-0) as their coach David Lung’aho continues to assert  that he will respect opponents.

“We want to take it one game at a time. I don’t want to get carried away with the inexperience of Burundi but of course we will come to play for a convincing win,” he told Daily Nation Sport Thursday.

A win against Burundi today and Uganda tomorrow will see Kenya qualify first in the zone for their  eighth straight finals since 1987.

 “That’s our goal and it is achievable,” Mercy Moim said. 

EXCEPTIONAL DEFENCE

If there was anyone who thought Kenya’s prowess on the continent was declining, the domineering queens replied in emphatic fashion with a charged-up 25-16, 21-25, 25-21 and 25-20 win over traditional rival Egypt on Tuesday even with the absence of experienced Brackside Agala and Jane Wacu.

Kenya not only showed great attacking ability but also exceptional net defense with the indefatigable Ruth Jepngetich and Edith Mukuvulani prominent.

Receiver-attacker Monica Biama and libero Elizabeth Wanyama commanded the reception and back court cover and it will be interesting to see how minnows Burundi cope with the Kenyan game.

“We never allow opponents to put us under pressure, but when we find ourselves in those moments, we know how to get ourselves out,” skipper Janet Wanja said after the win against Ethiopia.

Egypt, who beat Burundi 3-0 (25-7, 25-13, 25-12) yesterday, face Ethiopia today and are on course to also qualifier for the African event. Hosts Ethiopia have a mathematical chance of qualifying but must beat Egypt and hope all other results go their way.