Moment of reckoning for Kenyan clubs in Tunisia

Kenyan teams at the ongoing Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) men’s Africa Club championship have a herculean task in their quest for a semis berth as they face North African sides who have been touted as favourites for this year’s title in the absence of holders Al Ahly.

National champions General Service Unit (GSU) and runner-up Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have Tunisia’s Esperance and Egypt’s Zamalek to content with respectively. In the Friday, 23 April fixtures, KPA will be first in action at 2pm (EAT) while GSU face their challenger at 6pm.

Coach Gideon Tarus believes his charges have what it takes to fight for the semis slot despite being up against four-time African champions Esperance. The Tunisians are fresh from winning their local double of the league and Cup. In their encounter against KPA at the group stage, the Tunisians won 3-0 (27-25, 25-11, 25-13).

“Esperance have a different style of play but we are ready for all of it. From their jump service, to float and quick attacks to high ball, we have a game play to counter all that. The team is doing great and are all available for duty today,” said Tarus.

On their part, the dockers are hoping to continue their fairytale debut when they take on five-time Africa champions Zamalek. The Egyptians played GSU at the group stage, winning by straight sets of 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-22). Sammy Mulinge’s charges will need to be at the best of they are to make it past the quarters.

Meanwhile the women’s version of the competition, ongoing in Kelibia, Tunisia will see Kenyan champions Prisons face their toughest test in the groupo stage as they play hosts and Tunisian champions CS Sfaxien tonight. Their counterparts Kenya Pipeline chase their third groups stage win against AS Douanes of Burkina Faso.