KVF Playoffs: KPA eye their maiden title after stellar campaign

Kenya Ports Authority have intensified their training ahead of the Kenya Volleyball Federation men's league play-offs' semi-finals that serve off on Friday at Makande Gymnasium, Mombasa.

Head coach James Ontere has hailed the management of the club, led by the managing director, William Ruto, for supporting them with the necessary tools as they chase their first title.

“We have been in camp intensifying our training ahead of the match. I want to thank the management of the club, led by the managing director, William Ruto, for enabling us to have proper training,” Ontere told Citizen Digital.

The former Wafalme Stars right attacker is bullish that KPA will lift the coveted title, although he said they will have to be in their top form to edge their opponents.

The Dockers will have to do without Timona Gisenge, who joined the league’s reigning champions, Kenya Prisons, earlier this year.

“We want to lift the title this year and bring a smile to the management, which has really supported us. I believe we can do it, but we have to be on top of our game,” said Ontere.

The Mombasa-based side came close to winning the title in 2022 when they lost 3-1 to then-in-form General Service Unit and have finished third in subsequent seasons.

Ontere knows they have their work cut out to lift the gong, but he believes the African Men’s Volleyball Club Championship held last month in Misrata, Libya, gave them the experience and morale to go for the top honours this season.

“We performed favorably in the continental showpiece, and it gave us the experience we needed. We are also banking on that experience to walk to the final.”

KPA will clash with reigning champions Kenya Prisons in the three best-of-three series semi-final clash, while former champions GSU will play Equity in another semi-final.

The two sides met in the regular season two times, where each team won a game, and the tie is expected to produce fireworks as Prisons also eye their title defence.