Equity Bank, KPA land kind draw at African tourney
Equity Bank Volleyball Team players celebrate a point in a training session at Moi International Sports, Centre, Kasarani Indoor Arena on May 1, 2022 during their preparations for Africa Men Volleyball Clubs Championships to be held in Tunisia from May 5 to 19.
What you need to know:
- KPA, who are making a second appearance at the annual event are in Pool 'C' alongside Espoire of Democratic Republic of Congo, Injis of Ivory Coast and Madda University of Ethiopia
- Equity Bank, who are making their maiden appearance landed in pool 'D' alongside Port Doula of Cameroon,Customs or Nigeria and Gisagara of Rwanda
- No Kenyan team has won the men’s championship with Prisons being the best performers after finishing second in 2011
The draws for the men's Africa Clubs Championships were conducted on Saturday at the Kelibia Beach Hotel in Kelibia, Tunisia.
Kenya's representatives Equity Bank and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have landed in favourable pools in the competition that serves off on Sunday.
KPA and Equity Bank are the only Kenya representatives after regulars and locals rivals General Service Unit and Kenya Prisons pulled out of the competition due to financial constraints.
KPA, who are making a second appearance at the annual event are in Pool 'C' alongside Espoire of Democratic Republic of Congo, Injis of Ivory Coast and Madda University of Ethiopia.
KPA and national men’s team libero Sam Juma said they were lucky not to get a North African opponent in the pool.
“We hope to go all the way to the semi-finals as that will be an improvement from last year. The pool is favourable. The training on Saturday went on well and morale in the team is good,” said Juma.
KPA setter Elijah Bosire added: "They are unfamiliar opponents but we are at good place and ready to rumble. We are equal to the task.”
Equity Bank, who are making their maiden appearance landed in pool 'D' alongside Port Doula of Cameroon,Customs or Nigeria and Gisagara of Rwanda.
Equity Bank captain Wilson Cheruiyot said a top two finish in the group is achievable besides the cold weather in Kelibia.
“Our pool is good. We held our first training session on Saturday and we can’t wait to get started. We look forward to a better outing,” said Cheruiyot.
KPA finished fifth in last edition that was held in Tunis.
No Kenyan team has won the men’s championship with Prisons being the best performers after finishing second in 2011.
Pool 'A' which is the Group of death has former champions Al Ahly of Egypt who are making a comeback to the event after they missed 2021 edition, FAP of Cameroon and hosts KO Kélibia.
Reigning champions Esperance of Tunisia, Wolaitta of Ethiopia and
AS Duanes of Burkina Faso are in Pool 'B'.
Esperance are the defending champions after they beat Zamalek of Egypt 3-0 in last year's final.
The top two teams in each pool will proceed to the quarter-finals.
