Player crisis mars Africa Zone 5 preps

By Swalley Kenyi

2014 Africa FIVB World qualifier

Zone 5 (Pool H): Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda

UTILITY player Jesca Kaidu and teammate Christine Alupo both of women champions Ndejje University have been ruled out of national team duty for the Zone 5 African qualifiers for 2014 FIVB World Championships next month. 

The women’s competition will be held in Nairobi while Uganda will host the men’s event which will be held from July 23rd to 28th.

The duo picked up injuries at the Rwanda Genocide Memorial tournament and coach Tonny Lakony revealed on Tuesday that they had been ruled out since they have not been training. 

Meanwhile senior players Shilla Omurwe, Hasfwa Nakalema and Gloria Nantege are among the players who have not turned up for training since the squad was summoned, leaving Lakony with only nine players at his disposal out of 15 summoned.

“Their work schedules and domestic issues do not allow them to turn up but I still have hope that they will come starting today. It will allow us have a proper training plan,” Lakony said before yesterday’s training at ISU in Lubowa.

The story is not any different for the men’s preparations at the MTN Arena in Lugogo. Coach Anthony Ndaula is facing the same troubles with his charges as only nine have trained with him since the beginning of the sessions.

The Uganda women and men national volleyball teams will take on neighbours Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi in Zone 5 African qualifiers starting this month.

Africa has three slots at the FIVB Men's World Championship in Poland and two places for the Women's World championships in Italy.