Emmaculate Nekesa following footsteps of mentor, Wacu

In her first CAVB African Nations Championship appearance, Emmaculate Nekesa not only became a champion but she also, bagged an accolade many could only hope for. 

Nekesa was crowned the competition's best setter, having guided Malkia Strikers to their country's 10th title in Yaounde, Cameroon. 

For the 20-year-old, it has been a three-year journey where she was called to the national team on her first season as a KCB player. 

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Following the exit of experienced duo of Jane Wacu and Janet Wanja, the void was filled by Esther Mutinda and Joy Lusenaka, who had travelled for the Tokyo Olympic Games alongside Wacu. 

During the last edition of the African Championship held in Rwanda, Mutinda and Lusenaka were preferred, Nekesa making her debut at the World Championships alongside Veronica Kilabat. 

Coming to this year's edition, she had established herself as one of the best setters in the country and with teammate Mutinda opting out of this assignment and the FIVB Challenger Cup due to personal reasons, she was the go-to person for the job  

"I believed that I was good and all I needed was to prove myself right so I am happy for this win. The gold and individual award are a reward for the work I have put in since joining the national team in 2020. 

However, I know there's still work to be done. I am not where I want to be. My aim is to go a notch higher and attract professional clubs," she said after receiving her award. 

Nekesa says she had to learn on the job when first-choice setter for KCB , Rwandase Ernestine Akimanizanye, left and she was preferred for last year's club championships. 

She had been thrown in the deep end and kept her head above water, coming out a different player.

It was during that championship that coach Luizomar de Moura identified her and gave her a call-up for the World Championships preps. 

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"My first time in the national team was during the Tokyo Olympics camp in Kenya . I missed out on the Championship team to Rwanda but made it back for the World Championships last year where I was the main setter. It was, however, my performance during the club championships when KCB won the African title that I believe in myself and my abilities," she offered. 

In addition to the coaching she has received from her local coaches and the Brazilians in the national team, Nekesa credits her rapid growth to the guidance of Wacu.

"My first time to meet her (Wacu) was during the Tokyo Olympics camp in Nairobi and from then on she has been an incredible mentor. There are moves she taught me that I didn't know when I was joining the team and she keeps talking to me even after she left the team," Nekesa said