Japeth Munala reveals KCB's undoing after finishing third in KVF season finale
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 07.06.25. | 14:33
Focus shifts to the Kenya Cup, now in its second edition as teams prepare for the next season
Japeth Munala’s Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), who were out to defend their Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) women’s league title, consoled themselves with a third-place finish on the final weekend of action.
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Up against former champions Prisons Kenya in the classification playoff match at Kasarani Indoor Arena, Munala’s charges came from a set behind to claim a 3-1 (25-27, 25-14,25-20, 25-13) victory to finish on the podium behind finalists Kenya Pipeline and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Josp Barasa’s Prisons had a good start for 27-25, taking an early lead, but the Bankers strategised to make a successful comeback with dominant second and fourth sets, with the third closely contested for 25-20.
“This was not our target at the start of the season, but I am grateful we got to the podium. We started the season on the wrong footing, dropping points against Prisons and Pipeline, and that left us playing catch-up all season.
In the playoffs, it was unfortunate that we could not rise to the occasion. We remain a force, and we will let that come out in the Kenya Cup and into the new season,” Munala offered.
The tactician says his side lost focus in the dying minutes of the first set, something they were able to correct, and came out strong in the succeeding sets for victory.
Meanwhile, Barasa says his side did their best, but some of his key players had not trained with the team, leading to the playoffs as they were away on other duties, which affected their rhythm.
“We started the season well with good performances in the regular season, only to drop the ball in the playoff semis. In this match, reception was our main undoing. It is difficult to get anything right with poor reception.
We finish below our target, but this will serve as motivation going into the Cup competition and beyond,” Barasa explained.
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