Kenya Pipeline finish fifth in Africa Clubs Championship
What you need to know:
- The Kenyans were third in the last championship held in Egypt two years ago.
Kenya Pipeline ended a disappointing Africa Clubs Championship campaign with a 3-1 (25-22, 15-25, 26-24, 25-21) win over hosts CO Kelibia in their fifth place ranking match at the Aissa Ben Nasr Hall in Kelibia, Tunisia on Thursday.
The Oilers were third in the last championship held in Egypt two years ago.
Magdalyne Chemtai of Kenya Pipeline powers an attack during their Africa Clubs Championship fifth place ranking match against CO Kelibia at Aissa Ben Nasr Hall in Kelibia, Tunisia on April 29, 2021.
The battle between these two teams was finally determined by experience or lack thereof as the four-seat thriller lived up to expectations.
Pipeline coach Paul Gitau used all but one of his 13 available players to fight the stubborn Kelibia who are the youngest team in the tournament with an average age of 20 years.
"I'm very happy because finishing number five is a big win especially after missing out on the semi-finals. I talked to my players and stressed the importance of us finishing fifth. It's a good starting point as we prepare to go home and build from there," said Gitau post-match.
Gitau kept faith in his youngsters with Rose Magoi and Gaudencia Makokha being the only senior players.
Gaudencia Makokha of Kenya Pipeline powers an attack during their Africa Clubs Championship fifth place ranking match against CO Kelibia at Aissa Ben Nasr Hall in Kelibia, Tunisia on April 29, 2021.
Kelibia opened an 8-5 lead thanks to clever attacking from Chkili Nada. Pipeline struggled to settle as the hosts stretched their lead to 16-9. Gitau withdrew Winnie Odhiambo for Magdalyne Chemtai and the tide slowly swung their way.
Three sideouts by Chemtai took Pipeline to within three points of Kelibia at 16-13 before they finally went ahead at 21-19.
Another late change saw Gitau introduce Esther Mutinda for Rose Magoi and the setter changed the tempo to hand Pipeline the set at 25-22.
Just like the opening set, Kelibia started strongly leading 8-1 at the first technical timeout. Even two consecutive timeouts by Gitau couldn't stop them as they led 16-6 at the second interval before sealing the set at 25-15 having brought setter Harbi Ahlem into the fray.
With the game level, Gitau turned to his bench where Ruth Jepng'etich and Esther Wangeci were sitting. The pair lifted Pipeline to a 26-24 win in the third set that was evenly contested.
Kenya Pipeline coach Paul Gitau follows proceedings from the touchline during their Africa Club Championship fifth place ranking match against CO Kelibia at Aissa Ben Nasr Hall in Kelibia, Tunisia on April 29, 2021.
Jepng'etich's blocks were particularly key in taming the tactful Kelibia attackers Nada and Mtaallah Nadia as Wangeci made her inclusion count with crucial sideouts.
"I'm really impressed by these young girls (of Kelibia). You can see that this team has invested in them, the way they are handling the ball and their technique," said Gitau.
"We are just winning through power but in terms of technique they are way above us. It's important to have experience in your team. Today the experienced players like Wangeci and Ruth helped us because of doing the right thing at the right time," noted Gitau.
Having found a winning side, Gitau maintained his first six for the fourth set where they led 8-5, 16-12 before a late surge by Kelibia was quelled by their own player Gharbi Farah whose service failed to go over the net for Pipeline to win 25-21.
Kenya Pipeline players celebrate a point during their Africa Clubs Championship fifth place ranking match against CO Kelibia at Aissa Ben Nasr Hall in Kelibia, Tunisia on April 29, 2021.
