Prisons banking on youngsters in bid to defend KVF title

Coach Josp Barasa has managed to keep his high-achieving squad together and win championships for their employer for several seasons but as the 2022 season makes a return after more than six months of inaction, the tactician faces his toughest test.

Whether his current squad will stay afloat and defend the title they won in the last season is a matter the tactician chooses to stay away from discussing, instead maintaining that they have to qualify for the playoffs first before thinking that far.

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“We are currently fourth on the log after the Mombasa leg where we dropped points from the walkovers and we have to fight to maintain the top four position for a chance at the playoffs. We will then plan on the title after qualifying,” offered Barasa.

In the period that the wardresses have been inactive, since featuring in the Africa Club Championship in May, the tactician has revamped the side, bringing in three youngsters who will add to the team’s depth.

Kesogon Secondary’s duo of Christine Nyongesa, a budding left attacker and Faith Aite, a middle blocker as well as Kwanthanze’s Pauline Itoo a right attacker are looking to fit into Barasa’s system.

“They are learning from the senior players in the team. Although we are yet to get a chance to compete competitively and test the new players and how well they have gelled with the rest of the squad, I am confident when the chance presents itself they will deliver,” Barasa opined.

The women’s league for the 2022 season is likely to spill over to 2023 as the long layoff has made it impossible to conclude in time for the next season to begin at the same time with the men’s show.

Former champions Kenya Pipeline, the only team said to have been for the league continuation when the subject was up for discussion at the Annual General Assembly lead the standings with 12 points.

Title hopefuls KCB are second on a similar number of points, having played one more game than the oil merchants. Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) completes the top three with Prisons Kenya fourth.