Gitau backs Kenya Pipeline to end league wait

The Oilers won five successive league titles between 2013 and 2017 before that stranglehold was broken by rivals Kenya Prisons.

Since then, they have remained unable to rediscover their championship winning ways but Gitau is optimistic they are finally capable of solving the puzzle this year.

“We’ve had a gradual growth since the club experienced a massive exodus in 2019 and we’re in a good position to post good results. If we head to the playoffs with the same approach we had during the regular season, then we can dare to dream.

“We don’t have any pressure because this is a journey we’ve been preparing for all along,” said Gitau.

Gitau, who replaced Japheth Munala in 2019, won three Africa Clubs Championship titles with the now defunct Telkom between 1996 and 2000 with an all-conquering squad led by Dorcas Ndasaba and former Pipeline coach Margaret Indakhala.

Middle-blocker Trizah Atuka is also hoping the African bronze medalists would finally get it right this time around after they finished top in the regular season with 15 points.

Atuka says the blend of experienced and youngsters has made Pipeline a dangerous outfit to face which has seen them play dazzling volleyball in the lead up to the regular season unbeaten run.

“We’ve a good chemistry in the squad and some of the budding players have blossomed into one of the finest players. The foundation has taken time but now it’s time to reap fruits. We can dare to dream this season,” she said.

Pipeline will open the end of season play-offs against reigning champions Kenya Prisons who they beat twice last year starting 9am on Friday before playing KCB on Saturday and then wind up the round-robin competition against DCI on Sunday.

Meanwhile, DCI head coach Daniel Bor has vowed to shake off the underdogs tag and create a new order in volleyball during the three-day playoffs.

Bor believes they have what it takes to upset the established KVF balance of power by winning their first ever women’s title-and African Club Championships qualification-this season.

“Since we formed this club five years ago it has been a rebuilding journey and in the process we have been carrying an underdog tag. But this year is different and we are going for the title. We are ready to gatecrash the race and so we’re warning those big boys to wait for a tough battle.”

New signings Jemimah Siang’u and Caroline Sirengo will shoulder most of the responsibility and Bor is optimistic that the recent graduation of his 14 players as police officers will also lift the mood in the DCI camp.

“Playing when in mind you know you’ve a permanent and pensionable job is a big motivator to the players. They will face opponents without any problem and this is a catalyst towards building a strong and formidable club,” he added.

The team with the highest points from three matches will be crowned champions at the end of the play-offs on Sunday.

FIXTURES

Friday 20 January

KPC vs KPS 0900hrs

KCB vs DCI 1200hrs

Saturday 21 January

KCB vs KPS 0900 hrs

DCI vs KPC 1200 hrs

Sunday 22 January

KPS vs DCI 0900 hrs

KPC vs KCB 1200 hrs