Kenya Prisons coach Mokua rallies his charges to step up after GSU defeat

Kenya Prisons head coach Dennis Mokua says defeat to GSU in Saturday’s league match is a wake-up call to his charges that they have their work cut out if they are to retain the title.

Prisons were put to the sword 3-2 in a topsy-turvy affair that saw rivals GSU bag two important points, leaving the Warders to taste their first defeat of the term.

The Kenya Volleyball Federation men’s league reigning champions were dominated in the first set, falling 25-19 to GSU before resurging again to win 25-20 in the second set.

They held on brilliantly to win the third set 25-23 and were on course to complete their comeback before GSU hit back, winning the fourth set 25-11 to force a tie-breaker.

And with the fifth set up for grabs, GSU laid down their marker, trouncing the league leaders 15-13 in the closely contested set to maintain their unbeaten run.

Mokua termed the defeat a “shock” and has promised to bounce back.

“We were not lethal in attack contrary to my expectations. We will go back to training and hone our attack ahead of the fourth leg,” Mokua told Citizen Digital.

The tactician is also alive to the fact that his side is rebuilding after losing the league’s Most Valuable Player, Dennis Eskon, and best outside hitter, Elphas Makuto, to Rwanda's APR and Police Volleyball Clubs respectively.

The Warders have opted for attackers Jairus Kipkosgei and Michael Chemos to fill in the voids left by Eskon and Makuto with Mokua happy for the shift they have put in so far.

“Losing two key players to other clubs and another one to an injury is challenging. We are currently rebuilding and I’m happy the players called on to fill in the voids are doing well. We will get back to our top level by the time we get to the playoffs,” noted Mokua.

The reigning champions had to dig deep to secure a 3-2 victory against newbies Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU) in their last match of the weekend on Sunday to affirm their lead at the top of the log on 26 points.

Prisons had earlier arrested Western Prisons National Youth Service (NYS) in straight sets on Thursday and Friday respectively before the GSU beating.

They will now shift focus to the newly introduced Kenya Cup set to serve-off on February 15.