Tarus in awe after cup double with GSU, aims to extend dominance

General Service Unit (GSU) head coach Gideon Tarus is elated after completing a double in what he termed as 'a bumpy season with a slow start'.

GSU staged an incredible comeback against Kenya Defence Forces on Sunday, coming from a two set behind to stun their opponents 3-2 in a thrilling Kenya Cup final.

The paramilitary side, touted as the favourites before the final, had found themselves cornered by KDF after losing 25-23 and 26-24 in the first and second set respectively.

The third set saw them staring at a shocking defeat as KDF needed just a single score to win their first silverware this season after leading them 24-22, only for GSU to miraculously turn around the fortunes and win 26-24, much to the disappointment of KDF fans.

GSU then got back their mojo to spank KDF 25-17 and 15-12 in the subsequent sets, cruising to victory.

The Kenya Cup triumph came a month after bagging their record-breaking 16th Kenya Volleyball Federation men’s league title, a feat that left Tarus in awe.

"We struggled at the onset of the season. We were short of players in attacking positions and our reception was pathetic. We had to work with a thin squad and hoped for an injury free season," Tarus told Citizen Digital.

"I thank my boys because they believed in themselves. January came and we lost our star attacker Joshua Kimaru but we remained relentless," added Tarus.

The Wafalme Stars tactician says players’ ability to believe and fight helped them ascend to the inaugural Kenya Cup.

“People are still yet to come to terms on how we made a comeback. We realized we were weak in blocking so we had to find a way of getting points. My players never gave up, they believed and we turned around the game," he said of their cup heroics.

Tarus had opted to start with left attacker Joshua Kimaru who struggled to connect with his teammates. Setter Matthias Kemboi also struggled prompting the coach to introduce attacker Simion Kipkirui alias 'Kosirai' and setter Brian Melly who changed the course of the game.

"Kimaru helped us a lot in the semis but he was struggling to connect with teammates in the final. Kemboi was also struggling. I had to introduce Kosirai and Melly who changed the momentum of the game, “said Tarus.

Kosirai would later walk home with the Most Valuable Player award.

Tarus says they will now strategize and assert their dominance in all competitions next season.

The seasoned tactician is aiming at defending the Kenya Cup and the league titles while also targeting the African club championship title.