Kenya won its opening match after it defeated Tanzania in straight sets as the Men’s 2014 FIVB World Championships Africa Group H Qualifiers that started at MTN Arena in Kampala yesterday.
As expected, the Kenyan men’s team under head coach Gideon Chenje had an easy ride against the Tanzanians as they clinched the match 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-15) before a handful of Kenyan fans.
Kenyan High Commissioner to Kampala Major General (Rtd) Geoffrey Okanga led a powerful delegation from the embassy in cheering the home team to victory.
Ambassador Okanga was accompanied by Colonel Stephen Koimur and Daniel Mutinda, also from the embassy, and former Kenya Volleyball Federation deputy treasurer Charles Muriithi who is popularly known as “Kungu Maitu” and is now based in Kampala. Although it was not a secret that Kenya would run over Tanzania, Chenje did not any take chances as he paraded a strong team in the opening set.
His starting line-up featured Romania-based professional Philip Maiyo, James Ontere who plies his trade in Cyprus, Mike Chemos, Saul Wafula, Peter Kariuki, Elisha Aliwa and Sila Makiso.
Perfect service by Makiso saw Kenya gain five straight points to lead 5-1 before Tanzania replied with successful blocks to get their first point.
Double blocks by Maiyo and Chemos stretched Kenya’s lead to 6-3 and a powerful spike by Maiyo took the team to 8-3 at first technical time-out.
Tanzania tried to fight back with net tricks by its star player Kevin Peter but Kenya proved unbeatable as the Nairobi team marched on to open an 11-points gap at second technical time-out before wrapping up the set at 25-13.
It was Kenya’s multiple unforced errors that saw Tanzania take control of the proceedings.
Chenje would then introduce Daniel Kiptoo in place of Aliwa, enabling Kenya to clinch the second set.
After a second set scare, Kenya went all out for the kill in the final set and at 16-6, it was evident that the team was on track to win the match in straight sets. They wrapped up the final set at 25-15.
Ambassador Okanga told the team: “You know you have the ability to win and I wish you the best of luck.”
In Nairobi, Ethiopia have pulled out of the five-day Zone H Women’s 2014 FIVB World Championship Qualifiers to kick off today at MISC, Kasarani.
Their withdrawal leaves the number of participating teams at five, namely hosts Kenya, Egypt, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania.
In an interview with FeverPitch, Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Secretary General Evans Wasike revealed that they’ll use a round robin format.
“Due to Ethiopia’s withdrawal, we’ve been forced to alter the playing format. All the five teams will now play against each other in the preliminaries before qualifying for the next stage,’’ said Wasike.
“Everything is set and we are ready to host the event.”
All the Kenya matches will start at 4pm and Wasike has urged fans to turn out in large numbers to support the volleyball queens.
Kenya will open their campaign against Burundi at 4pm after an early kick-off match between Egypt and Tanzania at 2pm.
By OSCAR PILIPILI and RODGERS ESHITEMI, The Standard
