Kenya Commercial Bank’s women’s volleyball squad advanced to the 2022 Africa Club Championships final in Tunisia after defeating local rivals Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Prisons. The team will face Egypt’s Al Ahly, a club with 10 continental titles, in the championship match.
KCB’s journey to the final included a 3-0 quarterfinal victory over Kenya Prisons and a straight-set semifinal win against Pipeline. The team’s 2019 ninth-place finish in the competition was cited as motivation for their current campaign.
Coach Japheth Munala acknowledged the bittersweet nature of competing against Kenyan teams. "We’re proud to carry the country’s flag, but it’s disappointing we didn’t achieve an all-Kenyan final. Our focus now is to win the title," he said. Munala noted the team’s 2006 continental title and 2009 final appearance as benchmarks for their current efforts.
KCB captain Edith Wisa highlighted the narrowing gap between Kenyan and North African teams. "This year’s performance shows North African dominance is waning. We’ve earned our place in the final and will fight to bring home the trophy," she stated. Al Ahly advanced to the final by defeating reigning champions Carthage 3-0 in their semi-final.
The last Kenyan team to reach the final was Kenya Pipeline in 2015, while Kenya Prisons remains the most recent Kenyan champions, winning in 2013. KCB’s previous continental title came in 2006, with their 2009 final appearance marking their last continental final appearance before this year’s showdown.
