Wafalme Stars open championship campaign against Cameroon

It is a tough test for national men’s volleyball team Wafalme Stars as they open their 2023 CAVB African Nations Championship group stage clashes against reigning silver medalists Cameroon on Monday 4 September at 6pm.

The Gideon Tarus-led side landed pool C in the draw conducted on Saturday night and will go up against Cameroon, Libya and Ghana in the preliminaries with hopes of finishing in the top two to get to the knock-out stages.

Ahead of the matches, the side got an opportunity to play a friendly match against Morocco; the two teams drawing 2-2 (21-25, 26-28, 25-22, 25-22) as they had agreed to playing just four sets.

“It was important to play at least one friendly match to try out our combinations and also identify areas that needed some work as Morocco are a good side and I am happy with the team’s performance. I am confident of a good showing as action serves off,” Tarus said after the friendly match.

Ahead of their trip to Egypt, skipper Enock Mogeni who captained the side to a ninth-place finish in 2019 despite losing just one match against Morocco, said the target is improving on Kenya’s best performance, a fifth place in 2007, and fighting for a podium place.

Wafalme Stars promise better results in Egypt

“I believe this is the best team we could have and with the preparations we have had, I am confident we have the best chance to make it to the knock-out stages and then fight to podium.

We have a better team than the 2021 squad as some of the players have gained more experience after landing professional deals. We also have players like Abiud Chirchir who missed the 2021 competition and his presence adds to the depth of the team. We also have the best local players and we are ready for the competition ahead,” Mogeni said.

Coach Tarus, speaking to Daily Nation, said that Cameroon and Libya were formidable opposition but his charges were ready to cause upsets, just like they did in 2021, beating Egypt for the first time ever.

“Facing tough opposition early on is a good thing as it will prepare the squad for the knock-out stage which we have every intention to qualify for,” Tarus added.