KCB Queens Plot Continental Comeback as Munala Fires Warning Ahead of African Showdown

By Kepher Otieno - Reporter

Kenya, 8 April 2026 - The KCB Women’s Volleyball Team are back in the lab — and if early signs from camp are anything to go by, Africa’s elite clubs have been put on notice.

With the 2026 African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship looming from April 11 to 24, the Kenyan heavyweights are leaving nothing to chance.

Behind closed doors at Sports View Hotel and under the bright lights of the Moi International Sports Centre Indoor Arena, the bankers are grinding through punishing sessions designed to sharpen both body and mind.

This is no ordinary build-up — it is a mission.

After a disappointing fifth-place finish in 2025, a result that stung deeply for a club of their pedigree, KCB are now chasing redemption with a ruthless edge.

Head coach Japheth Munala is orchestrating the charge, and his message is clear: this team is evolving, and it is dangerous.

“We have had a very good training camp and the players are responding well to the programme,” Munala revealed, his tone measured but confident.

“The focus is on improving our systems and ensuring that we are fully prepared physically and mentally for the challenge ahead.”

History, however, demands more than preparation — it demands results. Twice crowned continental champions, KCB last lifted the African title in 2022, adding to their maiden triumph in 2006. Now, they are chasing a third crown — and, perhaps more importantly, a restoration of dominance.

Munala is under no illusions about the task ahead. “We know the competition will be tough because the best clubs on the continent will be there,” he admitted. “But we believe in the quality within our squad and we are confident that we can compete strongly.”

That belief is not without substance.

The return of Esther Mutinda injects firepower into the attack, bringing both international pedigree and composure under pressure. At the back, the arrival of Josphine Kataa adds steel to the defence, while Mildred Cherop returns from a stint in the UAE with renewed sharpness at the net.

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Yet, even as reinforcements arrive, a significant void remains.

Captain Edith Wisa will miss the tournament due to personal reasons — a blow that could unsettle lesser teams. But KCB are not built on fragility. Leadership now rests with Mercy Moim, and by all accounts, the squad has rallied.

“We have been preparing well, and the team spirit in camp is very high,” Moim said, her words reflecting a dressing room united by purpose. “Our goal is to go there, compete strongly, and represent the club and the country with pride.”

There is, undeniably, a sense of unfinished business driving this squad. The badge carries weight, the expectations are immense, and the hunger is unmistakable.

“KCB has a strong legacy in African volleyball, and we want to build on that,” Moim added.

“Every player in this team understands the responsibility, and we are ready for the challenge.”

The final travelling squad will be unveiled on Friday, with departure set for Saturday — the last steps before battle.

And make no mistake: this is more than a tournament for KCB. It is a statement campaign. A chance to remind the continent who they are.

The queens of Kenyan volleyball are not just preparing to compete — they are preparing to conquer.