Munala, Wisa buoyant as KCB head to Tunisia

KCB women's volleyball team have their eyes on the podium as they depart for Kelibia, Tunisia ahead of the Africa Women Volleyball Club Championships.

Head coach Japheth Munala and captain Edith Wisa Wednesday expressed optimism the former Africa champions can replicate the 2006 heroics as the annual continental championship serves off this weekend.

KCB won the title in 2006 in Mauritius under the current technical director Paul Bitok, who also guided the team to finish third in the following year, before Munala helped them to finish runners up in 2009.

In the 2019 edition held in Egypt, the Bankers finished ninth and Munala says the team has matured, and found the mentality they have lacked in the last few years.

“The squad was young in 2019 because we had just recruited new players but since then a lot of work has been done to the team. We’ve a mature players blended well with young blood. We know it won’t be a walk in the park in Tunisia but we will fight to be on the podium,” said Munala, who rejoined KCB in 2018.

Wisa, who took over the armband after Noel Murambi left at the beginning of the season, said she has no pressure leading the squad in Tunisia.

“I’ve played this championship at Prisons before I crossed over and so I will be under no pressure going to Tunisia as the leader of the team. We’ve prepared well and it’s now the time to try and win the title.”

Technical director Bitok on his side was brimming with confidence they can steer the team back on top to reclaim its reputation as Africa's top dog.

“We’ve the support from our sponsors and this is a big boost as we hunt the elusive title. KCB is one of the strongest teams in Kenya and we want to replicate that form at the continental scene.”

The team was flagged off by the Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Judith Sidi at the Kenya Commercial Bank headquarters in Nairobi and they leave the country Thursday 1.00am.

Local league champions Kenya Prisons and Kenya Pipeline are the other representatives from Kenya.