Fourth-time lucky? Kundu chasing elusive African volleyball title

She has been part of the three squads that have lost the CAVB African Nations Championship title to Cameroon and as Agripina Kundu leads Kenya's reception in this year's competition, she is ready to lift the elusive title. 

As fate would have it, Kundu finds herself shouldering the burden of libero duties for the title-chasing Malkia Strikers who are also looking to bag back-to-back tickets to the Olympic Games, having qualified for the Covid-19-delayed Tokyo 2020 games. 

Record-extending tenth African title beckoning for Malkia Strikers

"This title is giving me sleepless nights. There is alot at stake and I cannot wait to wake up to being an African champion after three consecutive failures. 

There is definitely pressure to reclaim the title but to ease it we have made sure that all departments are working, we will leave everything on the floor and pray that everything works in our favour," the ever hilarious Kundu told Mozzart Sport from Yaounde. 

The team has lost to this year's hosts, Cameroon, in 2017 in Yaounde, 2019 in Cairo and 2021 in Kigali, all championship that Kundu has been part of. 

She is the only libero to have travelled with the team as the technical bench was hoping to exploit the FIVB rule that allows any player to suit up for a team as a libero. When that failed, left attacker Leonida Kasaya was switched to assume the substitute libero duties. 

"I know this is my responsibility from here on. Kasaya is available for backup but without the experience in the position all eyes are on me. I am, however, using that as motivation as the competition gets stiffer. I know if I need a breather, Kasaya, who is an experienced receiver will step in and deliver and that has helped me to remain calm in this situation," Kundu explained. 

The Luizomar de Moura-coached Malkia Strikers are up against Nigeria in the quarters slated for Tuesday 22 August from 4pm local time (6pm EAT). A win will see them face off with the winner between holders Cameroon and Morocco in the semi finals. 

"It has not been an easy championship as all the teams are out to beat Kenya, being the top-ranked African team at the moment, but we had prepared for this. 

From the first group match to now that we are in the elimination phase, it was honestly a struggle playing on a daily but we couldn't complain as everyone was facing the same challenge. 

We have, however, kept our heads high and we are on course to achieve our set targets, having had a break on Monday to recharge," Kundu offered. 

The libero par excellence says a second Olympics slot will be a dream come true, having come a long way since winning her first personal accolade nearly a decade ago when she was named the best libero in the local league. 

"Having been in Tokyo Olympics, it is an experience I would love to have again. I want to be in Paris next year and will do everything in my power to see it happen. 

Reception will be key in this phase and being my main area, I have to bring my A game; but I am ready," Kundu declared.