Do it for Kenya, Pipeline coach Munala rallies troops ahead of final

Pipeline coach Japheth Munala (centre) speaks to his players during a time-out in their match against Shams of Egypt on April 2, 2015. Pipeline face Al Ahly of Egypt in the final of the continental championship on April 5, 2015 in Cairo. PHOTO | COURTESY |   CAVB

In Summary

• Pipeline's team manager Kashujaa Onyonyi has officially petitioned the sport's continental body following what he claims is a recurrence of biased officiating against the Kenyan league champions.
• Al Ahly secured passage to the final following a similar tie breaking 3-2 (25-23, 16-25, 24-26, 26-24 and 15-11) sets win over Tunisia's Carthage.

By DAVID KWALIMWA
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Kenya Pipeline head coach Japheth Munala has asked his players to give "everything left" and put a smile on the faces of Kenyans when they confront hosts Al Ahly in the grand finale of the Women's African Club Championship in Cairo on Sunday.

In the meantime, Pipeline's team manager Kashujaa Onyonyi has officially petitioned the sport's continental body following what he claims is a recurrence of biased officiating against the Kenyan league champions.

Pipeline, who boast a record seven continental titles, twice rebounded from a set down to see off another home team Shams by a 3-2 (20-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-19 and 16-14) sets victory, in their last four engagement that lasted 127 minutes Thursday night.

"My players are happy to be in the final but the job isn't done yet. We are going all out to give everything so as to put a smile on the faces of Kenyans in the wake of the terrorists attack in Garissa," Munala told Nation Sport.

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BIASED OFFICIATING

"We will win in that final easily if the referee is fair enough and considerate to consult his umpires. I have video footage to proof that we have been hard done which I have shared with CAVB (Continental African Volleyball body),” Onyonyi added.

CAVB's bulletin singled out the Kenyan champions’ captain and middle blocker Ruth Jepng'etich, Monica Biama and setter Janet Wanja for praise for their role in the win, and Munala will be banking on the trio alongside fellow international Noel Murambi to see off the five time champions at the October Hall.

Al Ahly secured passage to the final following a similar tie breaking 3-2 (25-23, 16-25, 24-26, 26-24 and 15-11) sets win over Tunisia's Carthage.

Pipeline will however have to be wary of Al Ahly’s middle blocker Mariam Elmetwally, who scored 26 points against Carthage and outside hitter Fatma Agrebi in the contest that kicks off at 9pm