KCB cruise into Africa Champs Round of 16 in Tunisia

KCB edged the Ethiopian side in sets of 25-20,25-12 and 25-9 to maintain their perfect start with the triumph coming hot on the heels of their Saturday’s Pool “B” opening win against Nyong from Cameroon 3-0 (25-07,25-20,25-16).

Head coach Japheth Munala termed the win as crucial even as he urged his charges to remain focused ahead of their final preliminary fixture against Asac Salitigue of Senegal on Tuesday.

“We’re on course but we must be cautious ahead of the next stage. Every team wants to beat us because we’re the defending champions and I’ve warned my players not to sleep on their laurels. We are approaching every match differently and not looking down on any team. All teams here can win this championship.

“I’ve given all the players we travelled with a chance to play today and this gives me the opportunity to gauge all of them ahead of the crucial stage of this championship. I still believe I have all what it takes in my disposal to defend our crown,” Munala told Citizen Digital exclusively from Tunisia.

KCB’s fellow Kenyan representatives Kenya Pipeline return to the court on Monday against Algeria’s Mouloudia Club d'Alger. They won their Pool “C” opening match against Chief Naval Staff Spikers from Nigeria 3-1 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) who are the sole Kenyan representative at the annual event in the men's category on Sunday faltered in their second Pool “A’’ following a 3-2 defeat against JOA of Algeria.

The Dockers clinched the first two sets (25-23, 31-29) before JOA turned the tables on the Kenyans and prevailed in the third and fourth sets (26-24, 25-14) before winning the tie-breaker set 15-10.

The Sammy Mulinge coached side came from a set down to defeat Cameroon Sports Club of Cameroon 3-1(23-15,25-16,25-21,25-19) in their Pool C opening match on Friday.