Ogutu returns as Wafalme begin training for African tourney

Kenya Forest Services (KFS) middle blocker Lewis Ogutu is one of the returnees to the national men’s volleyball team, Wafalme Stars, that got training underway on Monday 8 January ahead of Africa Games qualifiers in Egypt from 21 January.

Coach Gideon Tarus has named a 22-man squad that will be in training for the next two weeks ahead of the competition set to give the Kenyan men a chance to return to the continental Games for the first time since 2011.

The squad has maintained a majority of the players who did duty for the country in the African Nations Championship, a competition held in September in Egypt. Coach Tarus has, however, added a few names to the list, some making their debut should they make the traveling squad.

Wafalme Stars begin preps ahead of Africa Games qualifiers

Making a return to the team is Ogutu who missed the last assignment while away on mandatory KFS training. The 26-year-old will vie for a place in the team alongside Kenya Ports Authority’s Brian Kamonde, General Service Unit’s Shadrack Misiko, Eugene Okello of Trailblazers, Equity’s Wilson Cheruiyot and Tunisia-based Simion ‘Kosirai’ Kipkorir.

Brian Melly, back at GSU after a professional stint in Morocco, vies for the setter position alongside Prisons Kenya’s Kelvin Kipkosgei and Gregory Kiplimo. The left attacking position has Sila Kipruto, Denis Omollo, Nicholas Matui who is hoping to make his international debut, Naftali Chumba, and youngster Denis Esokon.

Kenyan internationals Abiud Chirchi, Peter Kamara, and skipper Enock Mogeni make the list as right attackers with the on-form Elphas Makuto and Joshua Kimaru completing the list.

Sam Juma and James Mutero who did duty last time out in the libero position have GSU’s Hudson Kipchumba for competition. The team will be whittled down after a week or so of training before the final squad is named later.

“We are hitting the ground running, focusing on our reception and backcourt defense in the opening week of training before working on our chemistry in the second week. We have a good squad, well capable of facing the best in the continent and we are keen to qualify for the Games,” Tarus offered.

The men's team has missed the last two editions of the Games in 2015 and 2019, the last participation coming in 2011 in Maputo where the East African country won bronze, defeating Rwanda 3-0 in the third-place match

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