Volleyball Queens Kenyan Pipeline, Kenya Prisons and KCB have kicked off their preparations for the Africa Club championship to be held later this month in Egypt.

Seven time champions Kenya pipeline have already assembled at Kasarani Gymnasium as they seek to reclaim the title they last won back in 2005 after beating Al Ahly three sets to one.

The national champions have been boosted by the return of Asha Makuto who has been out nursing injury she picked last year during training. Her team mate Janet Wanja has described her return as a blessing to their side.

“We always rely on Makuto, her injury really affected us but we are happy she is back and in good shape, everyone in the camp is happy ” she said.

Pipeline kicked off their campaign in the National league by claiming three nil win over Perennial rivals Kenya Prisons during the Nakuru Leg and Wanja remains confident they will post even good results in Egypt.

“Africa Club championship is totally different from the local league, everyone wants to win the title, I know most teams are training extra hard to claim the title” she said

“I know it will be tough for us but all we need to do is work hard and win the title, last year we won several games and we had young players but now we have the experience, our focus now is to win the title” she added.

The three Kenyan clubs will face strong opposition from North Africa clubs and Wanja is certain the tournament will not be a walk in the park for any side. Wanja is also aware of the home advantage for Egyptian clubs and she says this will not be an obstacle in the quest to reclaim their glory.

“We will not underrate any team, all the teams heading to Egypt are going to try and win the title, if we under estimate any team we might end up losing and we don’t want that to happen” said the national setter.

Pipeline finished third during last year’s championship after beating CF de Carthage of Tunisia and Wanja says they will seek to improve on last year’s performance even though she is aware Kenya Prisons will give them run for their money,

The two rivals have met couple of times in the final, the last time coming back in 2012 with Prisons beating Pipeline three sets to nil to claim the title. On the other hand Pipeline has never beaten Prisons in any final.

However over the last two years, the two sides have been paired together in the quarter finals or semi final ensuring they will meet in the final, but with three clubs representing Kenya, Wanja believes there are high chances of Kenya teams facing each other in the final.

KCB have played once in the final, back in 2005, the only time they won the title after beating Al Ahly 3-2 and last year they did not take part in the championship. Last year the championship was held in Tunisia and GSP of Algeria beat defending champions Kenya Prisons 3-2 in the final.

Meanwhile GSU and Kenya Prisons left the country yesterday ahead of the male club championship to be held in Tunisia. No Kenyan club has ever won the championship. Last all the Kenyan clubs failed to reach the last four.

Photo Credit : Michezo Africa