CAVB: Kamonde eyeing podium finish with KPA

Fast-rising Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) middle blocker Brian Kamonde is banking on his side's experience to propel his team to the CAVB club championship podium.

The side is set to represent the country alongside champions Prisons Kenya and Equity Bank at this year's continental competition, set to take place from April 14 in Cairo, Egypt. 

It will be no walk in the park for the James Ontere-led dockers who have landed in Pool D in the draw condemned on Saturday, April 13.

Their best finish in the last three appearances has been fifth place, on their debut in 2021 and sixth place the following year.

"We had good preparations in Nairobi before leaving for Cairo. We worked on both our front and back courts, and we feel ready to go better than in the last three editions. 

We have an experienced squad that has national team players and others who have been with the team at this level, so we know what's expected of us to break the quarters' jinx," Kamonde told Mozzart Sport. 

Ontere boasts a squad that has four national team members in Kamonde, the returning Sam Juma, who missed the last national team assignment with injury, left attacker Dennis Omollo and Joshua Kimaru who has been roped in from General Service Unit (GSU). 

Ontere keen to guide KPA to Africa Club championships podium

Additionally, the Dockers have the experience of David Thuita and setter Elijah Bosire, who have been part of the squad in previous continental assignments, adding to the team's depth. 

"The combinations in training have worked well for us, and we are confident this will give us an edge. Omollo and Juma are good receivers, Kimaru is swift on the attack, and our defence is also well coordinated and that helps the team execute well," Kamonde said when asked about the national team's quarter's impact on the side. 

The middle blocker admits that the team is still using systems that their former coach, Sammy Mulinge, put in place, adding that this will have no negative impact despite a change in coach. 

"James (Ontere) has worked as Mulinge's assistant coach, and they share a similar philosophy, so the transition has been smooth. We are still using those systems, and with the added experience, we have perfected our plays and are ready," Kamonde explained.