KPA begin continental tourney on a winning note as GSU falter

Up against his former employers APR of Rwanda, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) head coach Sammy Mulinge showed them who's boss as he led the dockers to a 3-2 win I their first match at the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) men's club championship that served off on Sunday, 18 April in Tunisia. 

This was a repeat of a friendly match the two sides had played after arriving in Tunisia as part of their build up to the championship where KPA won 3-2. 

On their part, Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) men's league champions General Service Unit (GSU) up against title favourites, five-time Africa champions Zamalek lost 3-0 ( 25-17, 25-15, 25-22). The paramilitary side will now endeavor to win their remaining group matches against Espoir of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Nigeria Customs for a chance at the quarters. 

Mulinge's charges begun their hunt on the wrong footing, allowing the hard-fighting APR to run away with the first set in a 26-24 outcome. However, they played their hearts out to clinch the second set 25-23 before the Rwandese side pulled one back to double their lead with a 25-23 third set. 

Determined not to be a one hit wonder with the win during the friendly match, KPA fought to level the score at 2-2 with a 25-23 win in the highly contested fourth set. They recovered from a slow start in the tie breakers to win the set 15-12 and pick their first win on their debut on the continental scene. 

Libero Sam Juma and right attacker Enock Mogeni were instrumental in KPA's rally for a first win. Juma proved his worth, having been named KVF's best libero in the 2019 playoff. 

On his part KVF's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Mogeni led the attack with his experience, having gone professional after the 2019 playoffs joining for Sweden's Sodertelge, coming in handy for the dockers.