Phuket, Thailand | Kenya women’s volleyball team star Veronica Oluoch believes a win against Vietnam on Wednesday in their last Pool “G” match of the FIVB World Championship will put them in a strong position to maintain their top position in Africa.
Oluoch, the top-scoring Kenyan in the championship that is being held in Phuket, Thailand, warned Vietnam to expect fireworks when the two teams play for pride on Wednesday.
Oluoch emerged as a top scorer for Kenya in the two ties against Germany (19 points) and Poland 18 (points).
“We have three teams from Africa at this stage – Cameroon, Egypt, and Kenya. Kenya is on top of Africa, and we want to guard that position. Vietnam will not have it easy. We will be going for a win,” said Oluoch, who has had a stint in Greece with GS Panionios.
“We have really improved if our performances against Germany and Poland are anything to go by. If we can extend the same spirit in the match against Vietnam, then we will definitely win,” added the former Kenya Pipeline star.
Kenya were drawn in Pool “G” and lost their opening two matches against Germany 0-3(22-25,8-25,20-25) last Saturday and Poland 1-3(17-25,25-15,15-25,14-25) on Monday.
Kenya, ranked 26 in the latest FIVB World rankings will come up against unranked Vietnam, who are also winless in the group from 1pm EAT.
Kenya and Vietnam have all been eliminated from the championship with Poland and Germany proceeding to the second round after winning two pool matches.
Germany and Poland will square it out today to determine which team will top the pool.
Kenya coach Geoffrey Omondi noted that they have not achieved what he intended to prior to the championship.
Omondi, who locally coaches Kenya Volleyball Federation National League Champions Kenya Pipeline is also making a bow at the World stage.
He said the team was working in the progress.
“Besides enjoying good food and sleeping in a top hotels, as a coach, this is not what I wanted. I thought I would be that coach to break the jinx with the current team at the world stage by at least winning a match but let’s see how tomorrow pans out. We have achieved 30 percent, but we would have liked it to move to 75 percent. Someday Kenya will dominate at the World stage,”said Omondi, who has previously trained Kenya men’s team, Wafalme Stars and Trailblazers men’s volleyball team.
“We have a few injuries, but they are manageable. Opposite hitter Terry Tata, captain Meldina Sande and setter Emmaculate Nekesa are all nursing injuries, but they will be available for selection subject to a late fitness test.
Vietnam play quick ball, and they have great teamwork. We need to break that with hard services to destabilise them,”added Omondi.
Vietnam coach Kiet Tuan Nguyuen was optimistic that his side would carry the day.
“We are all winless, and at the end of the match, one team will be the winner, and we want to be that team,” said Nguyuen.
Vietnam thumped Kenya 4-0 in an international friendly match last week in Vietnam.
