National men's volleyball team defied odds to book a slot in the forthcoming Africa Nations Cup cum World championship.
This was thanks
to a 3-1( 25-23, 25-22,23-25, 25-21) win against host Rwanda on Monday at the Amahoro indoor Stadium in Kigali.
The side coached by Moses Epoloto had succumbed to neighbors Uganda in the first match of the CAVB zone V World Championship qualifier on Saturday 2-3(24-26,21-25,25-17,26-24,12-15).
This was before they made amends to win against South Sudan on Sunday
3-0( 25-17,25-10,25-15) to revive their slim chances of making it to Africa Cup of Nation that will be staged in Egypt in October.
Prior to Monday's match, Kenya were to win 3-0 or 3-1against
Rwanda who had already booked
one of the two available slots having recorded two of their first
wins against South Sudan 3-0( 25-18,25-14,25-17) and 3-1(25-23,2517,19-25,25-21).
Kenya who had drafted a youthful squad in the four nation tournament however went the extra mile to surprise favourite Rwanda who are coached by Kenyan export Paul Bitok to win the overall title.
The well exposed Michael Chemos was the regular menace in Bitok and Co team with his explosive spikes
along side Brain Melly, Cornelius Kirwa Jairus Bett and Sam Juma.
And with the win against Rwanda, Kenya emerged overall winners in the three day event with seven points two wins and a point they
collected from uganda with a 2-3 loss.
Rwanda who finished second with six points will join Kenya in the Cup of Nation, while Uganda finished third with five points as South Sudan finished last win-less.
Commenting on the win Kenya coach Epoloto said: "I am happy with
the win. We had gradually grown in the event and I knew onces we got the first set then it will be ours for loosing and Rwanda should be lucky they got a set from us. Our focus now is to train well ahead of Cairo event since
as we
want to make a good account of ourselves and hopefully make a stab at the World Championship next year."
Bitok on other hand said: "I wish Kenya team all the best going forward . It is young squad that if proper mechanism is put in place it will be a team to reckon with in future."
Kenya volleyball Federation chairman Waithaka Kioni led Kenyans in congratulating the team saying they have done the country proud.
The female version of the same tournament is set for later this week at the Safaricom Indoor Arena, Kasarani.