DCI gear up for Kenya Prisons battle as they eye final slot

After years of being overshadowed by the country’s volleyball big three, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are determined to have the last laugh this season.

DCI are eager to finally get it right at the Kenya Volleyball Federation National League semi-finals play-offs that begin on Friday at Makande Hall, Mombasa.

They will be looking to secure their first final slot when they take on former champions Kenya Prisons in the best-of-three challenge. Last year, DCI lost to KCB in the semis and Kenya Pipeline in third place play-offs to finish fourth. 

The sleuths, who made their play-offs debut in 2019 a year after their establishment, have fallen short since then always settling for fourth place behind defending champions KCB Bank, and former titleholders Kenya Prisons and Kenya Pipeline.

Even so, DCI head coach Patrick Sang is confident that this will change this year.

“Our mission this season is to exceed our previous performances which means that we have to qualify for the final. We have been working hard over the years because overnight success is just but a myth,” Sang said.

Going into the clash against the Wardresses, Sang said they are optimistic of winning.

“We are aware that our opponents (Kenya Prisons) are very strong, but we are not letting that dampen our spirits and the desire to excel. We want this just as much as they do and so we are seriously preparing for the challenge,” he added.

DCI had a great regular season losing only two matches against Kenya Prisons and KCB an outcome Sang believes is helping in their preparations.

“They beat us in our league meeting, but that is behind us now. We are focused and also working on improving areas that didn’t work for us in our previous encounter so we can be ready to face them.”

Sang, who took over as the head coach recently following the exit of Jeremiah Mukopi, said that he is under no pressure.

“I am under no pressure and neither are my players. We have prepared well and we are going to Mombasa for a win,” he said.

Following their impressive 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-20, 25-23) win against Kenya Pipeline, DCI made light work of Postbank in the quarter-finals play-offs to advance to the semis.