Former Kenya Pipeline head coach Paul Gitau believes his knowledge of Kenyan volleyball can give the Democratic Republic of Congo an edge when they meet the hosts in Nairobi during the Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship.
Gitau is leading the DRC women’s national team in a campaign he hopes will culminate in the country winning its first continental crown.
He said they will rely heavily on his coaching experience and an intensive three-month preparation programme to turn his side into genuine title contenders.
The Congolese arrived in Nairobi early for the August 23 to September 5 championship and have spent the last three weeks of their preparations in Kenya, with Gitau taking advantage of the opportunity to expose his players to different levels of opposition.
Rather than restricting his squad to women’s club teams, the former Pipeline tactician has arranged matches against men’s sides, including an encounter with a team from Githurai, to raise the physical and competitive demands on his players.
Gitau believes the unusual approach will prepare DRC for the intensity of a championship, which will feature 16 of Africa’s best women’s national teams.
“I trust the experience I gained while at Pipeline. I know what it takes to compete at this level, and I believe I have what it takes to take DRC to the top,” Gitau said.
He added: “I have been working with the DRC squad for three months, with the final three weeks spent in Kenya. This has allowed me to fine-tune my combinations and familiarise my players with the conditions they will encounter during the championship.”
For Malkia Strikers, Gitau’s presence on the opposing bench adds another layer to an already demanding title defence. The Kenyan tactician believes his understanding of the local game could prove useful if the two sides meet.
“My understanding of Kenyan players, playing patterns and the domestic competition could prove valuable when we eventually face the hosts,” he said.
Kenya will enter the championship as defending champions and Africa’s record holders, having won their 10th continental title in 2023 after defeating Egypt 3-0 in the final in Yaounde.
That pedigree makes Malkia Strikers the team to beat, but Gitau’s DRC side are determined to disrupt the script. The coach said his decision to test his players against men’s opposition demonstrates his determination to leave little to chance.
The demanding local friendlies are intended to sharpen the team’s reactions under pressure before they face Africa’s established volleyball powers.
The stakes will be equally high for the hosts as the championship returns to Nairobi for the first time since 2015, when Kenya won the title.
