Kenyan clubs learn opponents as African Championship serves off in Abuja

Kenya Prisons, who last won the continental title in 2013, are in Group ‘B’ with reigning champions Zamalek of Egypt, debutants Spiking Stars of Botswana and Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff.

Zamalek edged out arch-rivals and compatriots Al Ahly in a five-set thriller to win the 2024 edition in Cairo — their second successive triumph following their maiden victory of the continental gong in 2023.

Local league champions and 2022 winners KCB will renew their rivalry against record winners Al Ahly in Group ‘D’.

The two sides clashed in the 2022 final held in Tunisia with KCB winning 3-1 sets to end a near-decade drought.

The pool also has La Loi of DR Congo and Senegal’s Sococim Volleyball Club.

Five-time champions Kenya Pipeline are in Group ‘D’ alongside Rwanda National Police of Rwanda, Littoral Volleyball Club of Cameroon and debutants Club Omnisports Descartes from Ivory Coast.

Pipeline, under the tutelage of Geoffrey Omondi who was appointed as Malkia Strikers head coach last weekend, will be eyeing to finally lift the title they last won in 2005 after finishing second and third in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

In last year’s edition, the Oilers defeated their compatriots KCB 3-1 sets to claim bronze while in 2023 they fell 3-1 to Zamalek in the final.

In the opening matches, Prisons face Zamalek Friday at 6pm, KCB play La Loi from 8pm while Kenya Pipeline open their campaign against Rwanda National Police.

Group ‘A’ has hosts Nigeria Customs Service, Mayo Volleyball Club of Cameroon, 2021 champions De Carthage from Tunisia and AP Rwanda, who stunned Pipeline 3-1 sets to win this year’s CAVB Zone Five Club Championship.

The prestigious 12-day tournament, scheduled to run upto April 14, is being hosted at the state-of-the-art Moshood Abiola Sport Stadium.

Group B: Zamalek, Kenya Prison, CNS Spikers, and Spiking Spiker

Group D: Kenya Pipeline, Litto Volleyball, Police, and Descartes