Nairobi News

Kenya coach David Lung’aho is confident his charges will improve on their performances during the second leg of the FIVB Grand Prix matches which commence in Algiers, Algeria on Thursday.

The African Queens require wins against all her opponents, Mexico, Australia and Algeria in matches set to be played in consecutive days starting tomorrow.

Straight victories will significantly improve Kenya’s prospects of making it to the top four positions, which come with qualification to the play-offs and cash prizes.

“We want to win all the three matches here. Our record against the three teams is good but we don’t want history to lead us,” Lung’aho told Nairobi News from Algiers.

Kenya is currently placed fifth in Group 3, behind Peru, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Colombia and Algeria in the eight team group.

Lung’aho and his technical bench comprising assistants Japheth Munala and Esther Jepkosgei will be forgiven for sounding confident ahead of these three fixtures.

SINGLE WIN

Considering Kenya’s splendid record against the opposition in recent times there is justification for Lung’aho’s optimism.

The National Oil-sponsored side has beat all the three sides during the last edition of this competition held in Mexico and Croatia.

The team has since followed this up with separate victories over Algeria at the Africa Nations Champions in Nairobi earlier this month, and against Mexico in Monterrey last week.

In the past, Kenya has struggled on the international stage, trend which continued in the first leg of matches played in Monterrey, Mexico last week.

The Kenyan girls managed a single win in three matches. Kenya beat the host team but lost to Peru and Colombia.

Team captain Brackides Agala, who is based in France, was however quick to defend the team’s performance.

“Most of these defeats were by narrow set margins. We have not played badly all through, sometimes it is the stage fright that affects us,” Agala said.

Fixtures:

Friday: Kenya v Mexico

Saturday: Kenya v Australia

Sunday: Kenya v Algeria.