All-Kenyan final in the offing as Pipeline, KCB go to battle
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 03.05.24. | 07:53
The bankers are keen to reclaim their title while the Oilers chase a title that has eluded them since 2005
This year's CAVB African women's club championships could witness an all-Kenyan final, should silver medalists Kenya Pipeline and 2022 champions KCB triumph in Friday's, 3 May, semis.
KCB, who finished fifth in last year's edition defeated compatriots Kenya Prisons 3-0 (25-20,25-22,25-17) to reach the last four while Pipeline overpowered Lito Team Volley from Cameroon 3-0(25-20,25-22,25-15) in the quarters.
The Egyptian-Kenyan rivalry 🇪🇬🇰🇪continues in a fiery battle in the
— CAVB (@CAVBPress) May 2, 2024
semi-finals CAVB WVCC 2024.📷📷📷📷 pic.twitter.com/YJGunZSWdm
In the last four, the bankers go up against defending champions, Zamalek, who denied Pipeline the title last year from 6pm while the reigning silver medalist take on hosts Al Ahly at 8 pm.
The Japheth Munala-led bankers have lost one set in the last stages with Zamalek carrying similar statistics to the clash.
KCB Technical Director Paul Bitok said good service reception won them the match against Prisons, urging his team to keep the same momentum against the holders.
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"If we maintain the same spirit from previous matches, then qualifying for the final will be a given. However, we need to improve on our services. We lost 16 services (against Prisons) which is not good," Bitok offered.
On their part, Esther Jepkosgei's charges, Pipeline, are keen to take their revenge on the hosts who have gone 2-0 against the oil merchants, defeating the Kenyan side 3-1 at the same stage in 2022 in their most recent encounter.
Last year Pipeline, under the tutelage of Paul Gitau then, went down 3-1 in the final and Jepkosgei will be be keen to go the distance for her first coaching accolade at the continental stage.
