Boost for KPA as Mogeni returns for Zamalek clash
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) opposite Enock Mogeni during a training session at Makande Hall, Mombasa on April 3, 2021 ahead of African Clubs Championship slated for April 16-28 in Tunis, Tunisia.
What you need to know:
- Zamalek are five-time champions, while Esperance are four-time winners.
- The best performance a Kenyan team recorded was during the 2011 event that was staged in Egypt, where Kenya Prisons finished second behind Al Ahly.
Fit-again Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) men's volleyball team attacker Enock Mogeni will be available for selection for their quarter-final match against Zamalek Friday in the ongoing African Clubs Championship in Tunis, Tunisia.
The influential right attacker picked the right ankle injury during their preliminary match against Armee Patriotique Rwandaise (Rwanda) last Sunday.
The team, under Sammy Mulinge, later held their nerve to win 3-2 (24-26,25-23,21-25,25-23and 15-12).
Mogeni sat out Monday's tie against Esperance of Tunisia where the Kenyan side fell 3-0.
Mogeni slightly featured in the match against Rukinzo (Burundi) on Tuesday as KPA booked their last eight slot and team coach Mulinge is excited about his recovery.
"Mogeni is a good player and was paramount in our match against APR and his recovery wouldn't have come at a better time. He has been given a clean bill of health and he is good to go.While we will face a strong side that has regularly participated in the event, we want our presence to felt," said Mulinge.
On their way to the quarter-finals, KPA saw off APR 3-2 (24-26 ,25-23, 21-25, 25-23 and 15-12) before they fell to Esperance 3-0 (27-25, 25-11, 25-13). They then made amends to win against Rukinzo 3-0 (25-23, 25-10, 25-13) to finish second in Group D behind Esperance.
The other Kenya representative in the tournament, GSU, will battle Esperance in another quarter-final match at the Sidi Bousaid Indoor Arena.
GSU coach Gideon Tarus said they are making use of the two-day rest and remained optimistic of a good show in the knockout stage.
"We will be a total different side in the match against Esperance," said Tarus.
To qualify for the last eight, the paramilitary side fell to five-time champions Zamalek 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-23), before regrouping on Monday to see off Nigeria Customs 3-1(23-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-18).
They then won against Espoire (Congo) 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-12) on Tuesday to finish second in Pool A behind Zamalek.
Zamalek are five-time champions, while Esperance are four-time winners.
The best performance a Kenyan team recorded was during the 2011 event that was staged in Egypt, where Kenya Prisons finished second behind Al Ahly.
Quarter-finals schedule (all times in EAT)
Esperance (Tunisia) v GSU (2pm)
Zamalek (Egypt) v Kenya Ports Authority (2pm)
Swehly (Libya) v Nemostar (Uganda) (4pm)
Kelibia (Tunisia) v Port Douala (Cameroon) (4pm)
