Defending champions KCB bid farewell to the tournament after a hard-fought 3-2 loss against Algeria’s Mouloudia club in the round of 16 in Tunisia.
The Kenyan team, who clinched the title last year with a 3-1 victory over Egypt’s Al Ahli, succumbed to a thrilling five-set match with scores of 25-22, 25-27, 20-25, 25-16, and 15-13.
Despite their best efforts, the bankers fell short in a closely contested encounter. KCB, known for their height advantage, showed resilience by levelling the match at 1-1 with a 27-25 win in the second set. They continued their momentum, seizing the third set 25-20 to take a 2-1 lead.
However, Mouloudia staged a comeback, utilizing their blocking and service skills to claim the fourth set. In a tense decider, the North African team emerged victorious with a final score of 15-13, leaving KCB disappointed.
Head coach Paul Munala acknowledged that poor reception played a significant role in their loss. Despite the setback, he commended his team for their spirited performance, stating, “The girls played their hearts out, but ball reception became our undoing.”
Although KCB’s journey in the African Club Championships has come to an end, they will now compete in the position 5-8 playoffs. The team aims to finish the tournament on a high note and continue to showcase their volleyball prowess.
As they reflect on their experience, KCB will undoubtedly use this opportunity to learn, grow, and strive for future success in their pursuit of volleyball excellence.
