Kenya Cup Semifinal Showdown
The KCB Women’s Volleyball Team is set to compete against Kenya Prisons in a Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Kenya Cup semifinal match at the Kasarani Indoor Arena. This encounter is scheduled for Saturday at 12:00 p.m. The tournament, which includes quarterfinals, semifinals, third-place playoffs, and finals for both men’s and women’s divisions, runs from Friday to Sunday.
KCB enters the competition as the defending champions, having secured the inaugural Kenya Cup title after defeating Kenya Pipeline. This upcoming match renews a rivalry between KCB and Kenya Prisons, who recently met in a National League playoff series at the same venue. In that previous meeting, Prisons defeated KCB 3-2 in a five-set contest to advance to the finals of the Kenya Volleyball Federation National League playoffs.
Japheth Munala, head coach for KCB, acknowledged the challenge posed by their opponents. He stated that Kenya Prisons remains one of the toughest teams in the country, and matches between the two sides demand discipline, resilience, and character. Munala also noted that the team has prepared well and understands the significance of the Kenya Cup, expressing determination to compete for a spot in the final.
Team Preparations and Player Absences
KCB will be without two players, Edith Wisa and Mildred Cherop, who have both been ruled out of the tournament. This situation requires Munala to adjust his squad for one of the season’s significant fixtures. KCB captain Mercy Moim commented on the competitive nature of matches against Kenya Prisons, highlighting that both teams are familiar with each other. She added that the team has trained diligently, addressed past mistakes, and is motivated to fight for every point to reach the final.
On the other side, Kenya Prisons captain Joy Luseneka has urged her teammates to move past their recent disappointment in the KVF National League final. Prisons lost that final to defending champions Kenya Pipeline, extending their wait for a league title. Luseneka emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming Kenya Cup, viewing it as another chance to compete for a trophy. She believes the lessons learned from the high-pressure league playoffs will drive the team’s pursuit of silverware.
Prisons secured their place in the semifinals by defeating Nairobi Prisons 3-0 in a quarterfinal match at the Nyayo Stadium gymnasium. Key players for Prisons include Lorine Chebet, who was recognized as the tournament’s Best Server, and Mercy Cherono, who received the Best Outside Hitter award. To succeed, Prisons will also need to contain KCB’s offensive threat, led by Terry Tata, who is a central figure in the bankers’ attack and was named Best Opposite Hitter.
Other Semifinal Fixtures
In the women’s semifinal draw, DCI is scheduled to play against Kenya Pipeline in an earlier match at 10:00 EAT at the same venue. The women’s third-place playoff is set for Sunday at 10:00 a.m., followed by the final at 2:00 p.m.
The men’s competition also features semifinal matches. On Friday, the quarterfinals saw Prisons face the Administration Police of Kenya (APK), Chema against the Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU), defending champions General Service Unit (GSU) take on Equity Bank, and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) battle the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). The men’s semifinals will be held on Saturday, with both the men’s and women’s finals concluding the tournament on Sunday.
Source: mozzartsport.co.ke
