GSU head coach Gideon Tarus has labelled their clash with reigning champions Kenya Prisons as ‘one for the books’ ahead of their Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) National Men’s League match at Nyayo Gymnasium on Saturday.
Prisons refused to relinquish their grip on the league last season and were head and shoulders above the paramilitaries with a 3-1 sets victory in the end-of-season playoffs’ finale, clinching the men’s title for a second year in a row.
The clash which is set to headline the league’s third leg will act as a dress rehearsal for end of season play offs as the two unbeaten sides gauge themselves following a perfect start to the new season.
“We have trained well and we are ready for the resumption of the league. We are still working on some areas we have not been doing well but we are improving. I’m optimistic my boys will deliver. It’s a tough match, one for the books and we will see who blinks first,” Tarus told Citizen Digital.
And although Tarrus is keen on getting one up on the Warders, he will be paying attention to how his rivals play as he arms himself for the play-offs.
GSU flattered to deceive at the Kipchumba Karori Eldoret International Volleyball tournament, falling to Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the semi-final hence missing a chance to defend the invitational tourney’s title, a gong they had won in the previous edition.
They went on to lose to Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in the third-place match and Tarus believes that was just a blip and he is keen to continue with the league’s fine run.
“Not only Kenya Prisons are good but all teams are quite competitive. I will study the playing patterns of all teams to prepare well for the play-offs. For now, we are focusing on qualifying for the play-offs.”
The paramilitary side is keen to reclaim their title they relinquished in 2023 to Kenya Prisons, after winning six titles in a row, and Tarrus knows they have their work cut out to reclaim their old glory.
“The challenge of sports is that when you make a slight mistake you lose dominance and it is not easy to come back. We are working slowly to come back and dominate the league once again,” he added.
The league’s record winners first clash with Equity Bank on Thursday before taking on Kenya Forest Services on Friday.
They will then play Kenya Prisons in the high stakes match on Saturday before rounding off the four-day volleyball extravaganza against Kenya Army on Sunday.
GSU are currently fourth on nine points in the 16-team league standings led by Kenya Prisons with KPA and Equity Bank occupying second and third positions respectively.
