KCB setter Immaculate Mutinda/HANDOUT
KCB setter Immaculate Mutinda says it is time to restore lost glory as the bankers turn their attention to the inaugural Kenya Cup, where they are eyeing a title push after falling short in the national league.
“We missed out on the league, but this is our moment to bounce back,” said Mutinda, who made a return to the squad this season after taking a break to attend to personal matters. “It is our time to reclaim what we lost. I’m happy my team has qualified this far. It is a must for us to win.”
KCB swept past Postbank in straight sets (25-15, 25-14, 25-23) to set up a women’s semifinal clash against Kenya Prisons, who dominantly eliminated Kenya Army (25-12, 25-15, 25-15).
Prisons setter Marcleen Okoko, who is part of the provisional Malkia Strikers squad, will be doubling up this week. She expressed pride in the team’s display and her return to national training.
“It’s an honour to be back. We’ve started well in camp and the motivation is high,” said Okoko, fresh from guiding the Prisons' men’s team to a 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-23) win over Equity Bank to book a semifinal place in the men’s contest.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) confirmed their ambitions with a 3-0 rout of Trailblazers (25-16, 25-18, 25-20), while KDF rallied from a set down to dismiss Administration Police 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-20) in the men’s matches.
In the final women’s quarterfinal, DCI showed grit to overturn an early deficit against Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), winning 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-10, 25-15) to complete the last four alongside Pipeline, who advanced directly by being league champions.
Meanwhile, the Malkia Strikers have begun non-residential training at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium ahead of next month’s FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship set for August 22 to September 7 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Kenyans are drawn in Pool “G” alongside Vietnam, Germany, and Poland in the 32-nation tournament. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the second round.
This will mark Malkia’s eighth appearance at the global showpiece, and the team is keen on making history by breaking through to the second round for the first time.
