Action between Maisha mothers (in white) and Kenya Army during their Kenya Volleyball Federation National League match at Kasarani indoor Arena today/HANDOUTKenya Army booked their place in the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) National League playoffs after defeating Maisha Mothers 3-1 and Kenyatta University 3-0 during the second-leg matches played on Saturday at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.
Kenya Army recovered from a slow start against Maisha Mothers, formerly known as A Plus Volleyball Club, after losing the opening set.
They later eased past Kenyatta University in straight sets to seal eighth place and a playoff berth.
Kenya Army team manager William Wahome said his side had to adjust tactically after dropping the opening set.
“Msisha Mothers is not a team you can underestimate. They’ve worked hard in every area and play together as a unit. If we hadn’t come strong, we could have lost the second set,” said Wahome.
Meanwhile, Maisha Mothers head coach Paul Miricho praised his players despite the defeat.
“We were just unlucky not to win. The players have the skills, but combining that with mental focus has been our biggest challenge,” said Miricho.
He cited sponsorship challenges as one of the major setbacks the team faced during the season, revealing that players often struggled to honour fixtures due to lack of transport, meals and training allowances.
However, he remains optimistic after the club secured a new sponsor late in the season, saying improved support would boost the players’ mental wellness and consistency.
“Winning is not about skill alone,” he said.Captain Mercy Musime admitted Kenya Army’s experience made the difference against a side that was formed just last year.
“We lacked momentum, which put us out of the game. We’ve faced big challenges from established teams, but next season we must change our mindset and put in more effort,” said Musime.
Maisha Mothers completed the season in ninth position, but Miricho remains confident the side will return stronger next season.
