CHEMA Volleyball Club head coach Jeremiah Mukopi / HANDOUT

Chema Volleyball Club are determined to make amends during their third pre-season tournament in Dar-es-salaam after a dismal showing in Kampala, Uganda, last month.

Team captain Levis Ogutu believes they are ready to make a statement when they tour Dar-es-salaam for the 26th Julius Nyerere Memorial Volleyball Tournament scheduled for this weekend (October 10-14). 

Having drawn inspiration from an intense pre-season stretch, the team held its final training session at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday and departed Nairobi yesterday for the Tanzanian capital ahead of the week-long championship.

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Ogutu reflected on the team’s journey, noting that their preparations have been deliberate and demanding since bowing out in the semifinals in a recent Kampala pre-season tournament, where they also lost in the third-place playoff.

"Our morale went down a bit after Uganda, but we’ve had good, intense training sessions since then,” said Ogutu.

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“This is our third pre-season tournament, and we’re well prepared. As a middle blocker, you have to encourage your players and keep them pushing. Our supporters will see a team ready to engage and perform.”

He assured fans and management of a spirited campaign, adding, “We promise good results that will be both appreciative and encouraging.”
Head coach Jeremiah Mukopi echoed his captain’s optimism, confirming that the squad is in good shape, save for Ian, who is recovering from a knee injury and is expected to return in four weeks.

Mukopi revealed that while in Uganda for the pre-season, the team was still finalising player recruitment and managed to secure a key signing — a left attacker, Mitch Ayuen Mach from KCCA Volleyball Club — to strengthen that flank. “I wanted to beef up the left attacking position so that we can be compact and more balanced in play,” said Mukopi.

“This being our third international trip in the pre-season, it gives my players a good platform to test themselves and build cohesion before the league begins.”

Chema has named a 14-man squad comprising setters: Mathias Kemboi and Stephen Otieno, opposite hitters: Peter Kamara, Mark Ikori and Kennedy Ndegwa; middle blockers: Levis Ogutu, Mitch Ayuen Mach and Eugene Okello; Outside Hitters: Lester Mudibo, Moses Kamau, Wesley Limo and Cosmas Apuoyo; and liberos Elly Kigen and Hudson Kipchumba.

The technical bench has Jeremiah Mukopi (head coach),  Leonard Maina and Zachary Mwangi (assistant coaches) and physiotherapist Timothy Kimutai.