NAIROBI, Kenya, August 3 – Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Women’s volleyball coach Japheth Malala is confident his side can successfully defend their East and Central African title next week in Moshi.
Malala said on Monday that his team will be banking on the experience gained in the African Club championships earlier this year after finishing second despite being faced with carrying the hopes of a nation.
“We were under a lot of pressure first because our counterparts Kenya Pipeline and Prisons were locked out and we missing the experience of Dorcas Ndasaba, Edna Rotich and Doris Palanga,” said Malala whose charges lost to Egypt’s Al Ahly at Kasarani stadium back in April.
Malala will be able to call upon the services of Rotich and Palanga this time around and is relishing the challenge his team is up against.
“The other Kenya teams will be our greatest challenge. Pipeline and Prisons are a force to reckon with but we are ready for them and hope to retain the title,” said Malala who took over from Paul Bitok earlier this year.
“We won’t be meeting with any other Kenyan side until the knockout stages of the tournament but we have prepared very well and are ready for any team,” he added.
Malala was speaking after his team was feted by their sponsors KCB who also rewarded the team with Sh10,000 each after their performance in the continental championships.
“I want to thank the team for their good performance and urge them to work harder to win the gold medal in the next tournament,” said KCB CEO Martin Oduor-Otieno.
Fourteen teams from six countries have entered the week long tournament to be held at the Hindu Manal ground from August 10-16.
KCB Squad:
Jackline Barasa, Margaret Indakala, Mildred Odwako, Eunice Maiyo, Esther Ouna, Farida Efumbi, Edna Rotich, Doris Palanga, Doris Miyekho, Truphena Nyongesa, Linet Mkambi, Doreen Khaemba.
