Kenya Pipeline head coach Geoffrey Omondi believes he possesses the tools to end a two-decade-long drought of a continental title when the 2026 CAVB Women’s African Volleyball Club Championships serve off from April 13 to April 20 in Cairo, Egypt.
The five-time champions have suffered heartbreaks since lifting their last crown in 2005, when they defeated record winners Al Ahly SC of Egypt 3-0 sets in Nairobi.
Since then, the Oilers have lost six finals, but Omondi, who was appointed in September 2024, is hungry to break the hex after guiding the club to a third-place finish last year in Abuja, Nigeria.
“This isn’t just a championship, it’s a rebound for the 20-year wait. We’re ready to take on tough teams like Al Ahly and Zamalek,” said Omondi, who is also the Malkia Strikers head coach.
“We’ve been so near for a long time but I believe we now have what it takes to bring it home this year.”
The team was flagged off on Wednesday in Nairobi, where Kenya Pipeline Company Managing Director Joe Sang expressed his unwavering belief in the team’s capability to emerge top in the championship.
“Victory will be defined by how well you play as a united team. Support one another, trust each other, and remain resilient,” he said.
The Kenyan champions will fly the country’s flag in Egypt alongside last year’s league runner-up KCB and third-placed DCI.
The Oilers boast of seasoned players in their ranks, including Glady’s Ekaru, Agrippina Kundu, Leonidah Kasaya, Trizah Atuka and Noel Murambi, but Omondi’s style of trusting the young blood could see Celestine Nafula, Milka Akinyi and Marian Sokoiyo preferred during the week-long event.
“This time, things will be different. We’ve prepared for long enough, now it’s up to us to make a statement and make our country proud,” said Ekaru.
To further motivate the squad, KPC has unveiled performance-based incentives, including, Ksh 1 million upon reaching the semi-finals, Ksh 2 million upon reaching the finals and an additional reward for clinching the championship title.
The team is currently in camp at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, with Omondi overseeing final preparations and selections ahead of their departure to Cairo on April 9.
Kenyan sides will have to go flat out in Cairo if they are to wrestle the title from North African teams, which have dominated the scene since 2014, with only KCB putting a blemish on their fine run in 2022.
Hosts Zamalek SC are training their guns for a four-peat after winning since 2023, while another homeside Al Ahly SC will be seeking to get one up on their local rivals, who triumphed in the 2024 and 2025 finals.
Al Ahly, who are the record winners of the championship, last hoisted the title in 2019 when they spanked CF de Carthage of Tunisia 3-1 sets in the final to lift their record-extending tenth title.
