Kenya Prisons displayed a brilliant performance against compatriots Kenya Commercial Bank in the semis to enter the Africa women's club championship final in their inaugural appearance.

The wardresses now carry the country's hopes of returning the title to Nairobi after KCB did it in 2006.

Their captain, Praxicedes Agala, and Lydia Maiyo have been in stupendous form in this campaign.

The two were instrumental in the team's thrilling semi-final victory, which had to be decided after five sets.

Head coach David Lung'aho lavished praise on his players, saying they had come of age and were ready for the final.

"I warned our opponents before the competition started to rule us out at their own peril. We are in the final and I am certain, the players have the pedigree to clinch the title," said Lung'aho.

"We lost to a better team. Losing is part of the game, but I'm glad because I groomed all the Prisons players.

"We held our own fate, and had trust in Dorcas Ndasaba finishing off the match when we were leading 14-12 in the fifth set, but they had better blocks. They deserve the win," Bitok said.

KCB will now face outgoing champions Al-Ahly in the third and fourth play off. Lung'aho gave the players a rest day on Saturday to recover from Friday's semi-final.

Showed no mercy

He aims to polish his team's reception and court movement before the ultimate clash with Algeria's Mouloudia.

"We have watched Mouloudia's performances against Al-Ahly and KCB. We know their weak points. They are slow in their movement and I'm positive we will prevail," Lung'aho said.

He said it would be important to lock out Algeria's setter Fetma Oukazi and centre attacker Amel Khamtache. The two players have been the main actors behind the Algerians' romp into the final.

Mouloudia entered the final after beating defending champions Al-Ahly. The Algerians showed no mercy for their rivals as they picked the first set 25-13.