Azenga exudes confidence in squad ahead of Africa tourney

Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) women’s league holders Prisons Kenya are looking to put the woes of their last two appearances at the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) women’s club championship behind them as they eye the title at this year’s showpiece set for April 19 to May 1 in Sousse, Tunisia.

Despite missing some key players in his squad that will do duty in Tunisia, Prisons’ assistant coach Azenga Mavisi who will take charge in the championship believes the depth in his team has given him a tournament-winning squad ahead of the tourney.

Prisons head coach Josp Barasa will miss the championship alongside six players who are engaged with the national team, Malkia Strikers, currently in bubble training in preparation for the Olympics. The six are Joy Lusenaka, Pamela Masaisai, Lorine Chebet, Joan Chelagat, Emmaculate Chemtai and Elizabeth Wanyama.

In addition to the six, Azenga will also miss the services of Caroline Cherop and Joan Cheiyo who could not be cleared to travel with the team to Tunisia due to a Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government directive.

“The two are not in the Prisons department and there was a directive that all participants in this championship should be employees of Kenya Prisons. Since the government, through the ministry is our sponsor, we had to comply with the directive so the two cannot travel,” explained Mavisi.

The tactician, who will be aided by Prisons’ technical director David Lughaho on the touchline, will, however, have the services of experienced Brackcides Agala who has been named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the last two seasons of the KVF league. Also at his disposal is fast-rising outside hitter Yvonne Wavinya as well as experienced Lydia Maiyo.

Additionally, Mavisi will rely on one libero player, Judith Tarus as Wanyama is engaged with the national team. Prisons had sought the services of Kwanthanze’s promising Libero Delphine Misoki to fill the gap left by Wanyama but the youngster could not travel with the team.

“All our payments and bookings are being done through Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) and since she is still registered as a student, she could not be registered on our portal thus forcing us to leave her behind. She is a brilliant and confident player and her addition to the squad would have been a plus for us. We travel with one libero but that should not pose a big problem as I have the likes of Agala who can play more than one role,” Mavisi said.

Prisons were recalled from the last continental assignment in 2019 and that means they are likely not to get a favorable pooling as they are not leading in any pool as has been the norm previously. However, Mavisi believes the team can improve on their 2018 performance where they missed the podium after falling to Kenya Pipeline in the all Kenyan third-place playoff.