Pipeline out to end 18-year continental trophy drought

Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) women’s league champions Kenya Pipeline were officially flagged off on Monday 8 May ahead of their trip to Tunisisa where they will represent the country at this year’s African Clubs Championship set for 10 to 23 May.

The oil merchants head to the championship on the back of spectacular performances in last season’s playoffs that saw them reclaim the national title and an unbeaten run in all competitions this season, including in the Bitok International tournament.

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As they take on rivals Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), the African defending champions and North African rivals who have, over the years, proven to be Kenya’s toughest test, coach Paul Gitau’s charges remain confident of ending their long wait for the title.

“It has been 18 years since you last won the trophy and this shows you have come of age. You have one mission in Tunisia which is to ensure you bring the trophy back home,” KPC director Ken Wathome challenged the team during the flag off, as reported by the clubmedia.

Coach Gitau maintains that the players are motivated for the challenge of conquering Africa after winning the Kenyan league in January. The tactician named his final squad of 14 on 6 May after a week-long residential camp in Mombasa.

The squad will be skippered by veteran setter Rose Magoi who missed the crucial matches of the last edition of the competition with injury as Pipeline went on to finish third.

As they look to do one better and reach the final for the first time since 2015, Gitau will rely on the experience of Magoi alongside other long-serving players led by libero Agripina Kundu, outside hitters Leonida Kasaya and Naomi Too as well as middle blocker Trizah Atuka who have played on this level numerous times.

The oil merchants are not relying exclusively on experience as they have youthful players who have proven themselves worthy of their place in the starting team led by hard-hitting outside hitter Pamela Adhiambo and Africa’s best middle blocker Gladys Ekaru among others.

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