Kenya Prisons eye sixth African title in Abuja

Kenya Prisons women's volleyball team is doing everything right to lift the 2025 African Women's Volleyball Club Championships set for April 1-14 in Abuja, Nigeria.

One of the ways to achieve this lofty feat is the high profile early training the club has embarked on at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Langata, Nairobi.

The team has also roped in some new blood in the squad, among them Sharon Sandui (libero), Mercy Cherono (outside hitter) and Pauline Itoo (opposite attacker turned outside hitter).

Itoo is seeking to fit in the big shoes of Meldina Sande who has left for pro stints in Rwanda this season.

The team's high profile weekly training for the prestigious continental showpiece was boosted this week by Madison Life Assurance who also donated uniforms and other playing gears.

"This kind gesture has inspired us to work hard.We are now more determined to improve on our fifth place ranking in Cairo, Egypt last season. Not only are we looking for a podium finish in Nigeria, but we are ready  to strike gold," captain Joy Lusenaka told Standard Sports.

According to the skipper, they need to work on all areas in order to be flawless in the Abuja showdown.

"Actually, we are leaving no stone unturned. We are targeting to lift the cup. We have done this before and we are ready to do this now. It is high time we returned to our winning ways," the captain underlined.

Lusenaka's sentiments were echoed by coach Josp Barasa who is happy with improvements being made by his new charges in their rigorous training.

"Our preparations are ongoing well, everything is on course. Our target is a podium finish in the club championship," Barasa reiterated.

"I'm just appealing for more support from the corporate sector so that the players can be comfortable during the tournament so we can return with the trophy," Barasa stated.

Kenya Prisons first won the African Cup in 2008 which was followed with an invincible run between 2010 to 2013, making them five times solid champions.