KPC Overcome DCI to Book Place in CAVB Women’s African Club Championship Semi-Finals

 By Gedion Nzyoki -

• KPC volleyball team have reached the semi-finals of the 2026 CAVB Women’s African Club Championship after a strong win over DCI
• They will face fellow Kenyan side KCB Volleyball Club in an all-Nairobi semi-final
• The team remains focused on winning the continental title

Cairo, Egypt — 20 April 2026 - The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Volleyball Team has secured a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 CAVB Women’s African Club Championship after defeating the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) volleyball team 3-1 in a thrilling Nairobi derby clash played in Cairo, Egypt on Monday afternoon.

A photo collage of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) volleyball players in action against Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) during their clash in Cairo, Egypt. Photo: CAVB (Facebook).

The Oil Queens registered a 3-1 victory over DCI to book their spot in the last four, extending their impressive run in the continental tournament.

The Oilers started strongly, taking the opening set 25-17 through disciplined defending, sharp attacking play and effective serving. They further asserted their dominance in the second set, overwhelming DCI 25-12 with superior coordination at the net, strong blocking and clinical finishing.

DCI, however, responded in the third set, capitalising on a few lapses from KPC to claim it 25-21 and briefly revive their hopes. KPC quickly regained control in the fourth set, tightening their defence and applying tactical pressure through service and attack to close out the match 25-16.

Inside Kenya Pipeline Volleyball Team’s Impressive Run at the CAVB Women’s African Club Championship In Cairo

The Kenya Pipeline Company Volleyball Club (KPC) launched their 2026 Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Women’s African Club Championship campaign in emphatic fashion, securing a dominant straight-sets victory over Ghana’s KSC in their Pool A opener in Cairo, Egypt, on 13 April 2026. 

The Kenyan champions produced a clinical display to win 3–0, with set scores of 25–19, 25–21, and 25–13, underlining their early intent in the continental showpiece.

They carried that momentum into Day Two on 14 April, delivering a ruthless performance against Burundi’s Gender Light Club (GLC). KPC overwhelmed their opponents in a one-sided Pool B clash, sealing another 3–0 win with commanding set scores of 25–8, 25–7, and 25–9. 

The Oilers were in total control throughout, leaving little doubt about their championship ambitions.

As if that was not enough, KPC registered a third consecutive victory on 15 April, sweeping past VC La Loi of DR Congo in straight sets (25–12, 25–12, 25–17). From the opening serve, the Kenyan giants dictated the pace, combining a relentless service game with dominance at the net. 

VC La Loi struggled to stabilise their reception, frequently leaving their attackers exposed to an organised and disciplined Kenyan block.

Although the Congolese side showed brief resistance in the third set—finding some gaps in the KPC defence to stay competitive midway through the frame—the Oilers responded with experience and composure. 

Tightened floor defence and a series of powerful cross-court spikes allowed KPC to regain full control and close out the match comfortably.

On 17 April, the Oil Queens extended their flawless run with another straight-sets win, this time over Senegal’s SOC (25–22, 25–11, 25–17). The opening set was tightly contested, with SOC matching the Kenyan champions through disciplined attacking play and forcing several uncharacteristic errors. However, KPC held firm in the closing stages, pulling away after the 20-point mark to edge the set.

The second set turned into a one-sided affair as Kenya Pipeline’s aggressive serving dismantled SOC’s reception structure, paving the way for a dominant 25–11 win. 

By the third set, the Kenyan side had fully settled into rhythm, combining strong defensive organisation with efficient finishing to seal the match and complete a perfect pool-stage record.

Kenya Pipeline then booked their place in the quarter-finals on 19 April after overcoming Seychelles’ ARS in straight sets. ARS started brightly, matching the six-time African champions early and levelling the opening set at 16–16 through fearless serving and spirited play. 

However, KPC’s middle blockers soon imposed themselves, producing crucial stops to swing momentum and close the set 25–21 under the leadership of their captain.

In the second set, tactical adjustments proved decisive as KPC targeted the ARS libero with deep float serves, disrupting their offensive rhythm. Their defensive resilience also stood out, with the opposite hitter making key digs to neutralise pressure. 

A decisive mid-set surge (9–4 run) broke ARS’s resistance, allowing KPC to comfortably take the set 25–16.

Despite continued resistance in the third set, ARS were ultimately undone by KPC’s superior depth and composure. Even with bench rotations from the Seychelles side, the Kenyan champions maintained control, pulling away in the closing stages before sealing the match 25–15 with a decisive ace to cap another commanding performance.

Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) volleyball players celebrating against Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) during their clash in Cairo, Egypt. Photo: CAVB (Facebook).

Semi-Final Showdown Confirmed

With the victory over DCI, KPC will now face fellow Kenyan side KCB in an all-Nairobi semi-final on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. 

The bankers advanced after defeating Cameroon’s Mayo Kani Evolution 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-21), setting up a high-stakes domestic showdown in Cairo.

The clash guarantees Kenya a place in the final of the continental championship.

Coach Omondi Confident Ahead of Semi-Final

Speaking after Monday noon victory, KPC head coach Geoffrey Omondi expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting that they had navigated a difficult quarter-final to reach the last four. 

He emphasized that the team remains focused, disciplined and determined to push on to the final.

“I am happy we are in the semi-finals; we made it through the quarter-finals. It was a tough match, but we managed. The same way, we are planning to handle the semi-finals so that we reach the final," Omondi said.

Omondi added that the ultimate objective is to win the championship and bring the trophy home, while also appreciating the continued support from fans as the team prepares for the semi-final challenge.

"We want to bring this trophy back home this time round. To our fans, continue supporting us and we will not disappoint you,” Omondi added.

The two Kenyan powerhouses share a league, national team duty, and even training camps. But for one evening in Cairo, none of that matters.

It is Kenya Pipeline Volleyball Team versus KCB Volleyball Club — a familiar rivalry transformed into a continental showdown. 

Friends off the court, but fierce, uncompromising competitors on it.

Kenya is already assured of a place in the final. Yet as the whistle blows at AHLY Hall, only one of these giants will take the final step forward. The other will be left to watch history unfold without them.