No Chirchir, no problem!

Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) men's league champions General Service Unit (GSU) leave the country on Thursday morning for Tunisia where they are expected to battle 23 other teams for the continental club honours at the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) men's club championship set to serve off on April 18. 

Coach Gideon Tarus has named a 12-member squad largely comprised of experienced players with the only relatively new player being Kelvin Omuse who joined the paramilitary side from Equity Bank last year. 

Omuse is expected to make his debut at the continental stage, at club level, with GSU who head to Tunisia with a semi final target after coming in ninth in their last appearance in 2019. 

Omuse, a right attacker, has a huge task of filling the void left by KVF's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Abiud Chirchir who is away in Tunisia with Club Olympique de Kélibia. He will, however, have to beat veteran attacker David 'Tonje' Kirwa for a starting berth. 

“Omuse has been outstanding in the training and I hope he will extend the good form in Tunisia. This will be his first time at that stage and he is excited after being named in the team. Ofcourse the services of Chirchir will be missed, but Omuse has shown that he has what it takes,” said coach Tarus.

The tactician will have KVF's best setter Brian Melly at disposal as well as Nicholas Laga who has proved to be just as good in the setter position. Veteran Noah Bett is the libero of choice for Tarus and his assistant Dunson Tali. 

"We are doing the final touches but all in all, the players are good to go. There are no injuries recorded and we are thankful to the management for the support they have given us considering the current tough times. My hope is that we will register good performance and make them proud," added Tarus.  

Joining GSU in the search for continental glory are Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) who will be Kenya’s other representative in the event. Kenya Prisons who had qualified for the event pulled out last week due to financial constraints.

Squad

Right attackers

David Kirwa, Kelvin Omuse

SETTERS

Brian Melly, Nicolas Laga

LIBERO

Noah Bett

LEFT ATTACKERS

Bonfentry Mukhekhe,Naftali Chumba, Nicholas Matui and Cornelius Kiplagat 

CENTRES

Shadrack Misiko,Simon Kipkorir and Cornelius Lagat

Head coach- Gideon Tarus

Assistant coach- Dunson Tali