• The North Africans were quick on attacks.
• Fourth set was competitive but it was the host who had the final laugh
Image: COURTESY
After clashing out of the final two places at the ongoing African Club Championships, Kenya Pipeline will seek to keep their bronze medal when they battle GSP of Algeria in the third-place play-off today.
Pipeline lost 3-1 to hosts and defending champions Al Ahly in sets of 25-13, 25-18, 23-25 and 25-20 while GSP surrendered a one set lead to succumb 3-1 (25-23,24-26,16-25,24-26) to former champions Carthage of Tunisia.
Against Al Ahly, Pipeline coach Margaret Indakala retained the same squad that started in the quarter final match against Sporting as the oilers struggled to find a footing in the first set, going down 25-13.
The North Africans were quick on attacks as Pipeline begun to get their house in order with introduction Esther Mutinda for Janet Wanja and Esther Wangeci for Gaudencia Makokha but still lost the second set 25-18.
Everything worked right for Pipeline in the third set and it didn't come as a surprise when they eventually bagged the set 25-23 to trail 2-1 set.
The fourth set was also competitive but it was the hosts who had the final laugh with 25-20 win to remain on course of defending their title.
Ahly will now sqaure it out with Carthage in an all-North African final.
Pipeline captain Triza Atuka was gracious in defeat."Super proud of ourselves and the teams performance at large. I am happy that we are the first team to take a set off Al Ahly and it's something to write home about," said Atuka.
Assistant coach, Esther Jepkosgei, said the team is a resource that will soon be a power to reckon with. "The young blood has what it takes to ascend to the apex of African volleyball. It is only a matter of time before this becomes a reality," said Jepkosgei.
Meanwhile, KCB won against USFA of Burundi 3-0(25-10,25-15,25-8) in the classification match of position 9-12.