MAKE OR BREAK

Title in sight for Pipeline after reaching Africa Club Championships finals

The Kenya Volleyball Federation league defending champions will play Zamaleck in the finals on Monday.

In Summary

• The team will look to end an 18-year title drought should they beat Zamaleck.

• Pipeline were bronze winners last year.

Veronicah Oluoch (left) and Agrippina Kundu celebrate a point against Italy at the World Championships
Veronicah Oluoch (left) and Agrippina Kundu celebrate a point against Italy at the World Championships
Image: /FILE

Kenya Pipeline survived an early scare from hosts the Carthage of Tunisia to win 3-2 in the semifinals of the on-going Africa Women's Volleyball Club Championships.

The oil merchants were on the back foot as they lost the opening  set 25-18 to mark a slow start to the game.

The Paul Gitau coached side however bounced back in style to restore parity following a 27-25 second set win that made the scoreline 1-1.

Pipeline, who last featured in the finals of the annual competition in 2015, extended their advantage to bag the third set 25-23 in what was a neck-to-neck set win.

The North Africans drew level in the fourth set 25-23 to ensure the tie was settled by the decider.

The six-time African champions held their nerves to win the last set 15-9.

The Kenya Volleyball Federation league defending champions will play Egypt's Zamaleck in the finals on Monday.

Pipeline were bronze winners last year. The team will look to end an 18-year title drought should they beat Zamaleck. The team has come off age since their rebuilding started in 2019.

Victory will be a milestone achievement for Gitau who face an uncertain future at the club with his contract expiring later this year.