Volleyball: Mukopi confident as DCI, Pipeline clash
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 17.01.25. | 21:32
The sleuths continue their search for a podium finish with hopes high this season
A clash between the top two sides in the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) women’s league highlights action as the third league leg serves off next weekend, on 25 and 26 January, at Nyayo Stadium.
Leaders Kenya Pipeline, headlining the standings on a five-match unbeaten run face an acid test against Jeremiah Mukopi’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), ranked second on four wins in as many matches.
Mukopi’s charges were quite the revelation, for many who had not seen them in action in the opening two legs, at the Kipchumba Karori International Volleyball Tournament in Eldoret last month, beating favourites Prisons Kenya in the semis to qualify for the final.
After seeing off Josp Barasa’s Kenya Prisons 3-2(25-20,19-25,26-24,22-25 and 15-13), the Investigators put up a fight against league holders KCB, going on to lose 3-1(27-25, 25-16, 18-25 and 28-26).
This was an improvement from the group phase of the same competition where Mukopi’s side had succumbed 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-22).
“We have been building on that momentum and, having identified and worked on areas of concern from our performance in the last two legs and in the tournament, we are ready for the challenge,” the tactician who joined the women’s side from Equity Bank VC offered.
He has singled out team chemistry and his best players having bad days for the loss to KCB last month, arguing that tactically his side can match any of the top teams.
“We are aware of the challenge Pipeline pose,” he continued, “Our training has, however, focused on a wholesome improvement as we look to fight for a place in the playoffs and then strategize for a podium finish that has, so far, been elusive.”
The side takes on a Pipeline side still in mourning following the loss of their former player Janet Wanja who succumbed to gallbladder cancer on Boxing Day and was laid to rest on 3 January 2025.
The former champions have a date with Kenya Army on Saturday 25 before facing DCI on Sunday 26 January.
Other matches will see defending champions KCB take on Prisons Nairobi on Saturday, as Post Bank play Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
On Sunday, Prisons Nairobi face off with former champions Prisons Kenya, Kenya Army welcome Post Bank, AS KDF challenge KCB before the highlight clash of the day.
