Kenya's Jane Wacu celebrates a point against Mexico in the Grand Prix match at Mexico City on June 27. Kenya won the match 3-2. PHOTO: FIVB

Kenyan international Jane Wacu has expressed her delight at joining Seychelles champions Anse Royale Club on a lucrative one year deal from Kenya Prisons.

The flamboyant setter, 32, who previously turned out for French side Charmalieres, arrived in the Island nation on Wednesday morning and is ready to help her new club achieve its objectives.

The deal comes barely two weeks after she featured in Kenya’s Malkia Strikers team that secured a ticket to the upcoming Africa Nations Cup cum 2018 FIVB World Championship qualifier in Cameroon.

And having played against Anse several times at the African Club Championships, the experienced setter is aware of the task lying ahead of her.

“I was very excited over the past few months since they expressed interest in me and I could hardly wait to come here. I had a nice flight and I have finalised the deal. I am now looking forward to help my new club achieve its goals,” Wacu told The Standard Sports from her base in Seychelles.

“ I am very happy to be an Anse player. This is a big club with great tradition. I will be diligent and give my best whenever called upon. I cannot wait to meet my new teammates, get on that court and do what I love most.

“This is new challenge in my career, but having played against this team before I know what they expect from me.”

The Tetu High alumnus departure is a big blow to the wardresses, who will now have to bank on the duo of Joy Luseneka and Herma Jepyego as they seek to reclaim the Kenya Volleyball Federation League title from rivals Kenya Pipeline.

Iran beat Korea for a great start to their campaign at the Asian qualifiers for the 2018 FIVB World Championship.

Meanwhile, hosts Iran scored their first win and China their second on Friday as action continued in Pool A of the Asian qualifiers for the 2018 FIVB Men’s World Championship at the 6,000-capacity Rezazadeh Stadium in the city of Ardabil.

Iran, who rested on Day 1 of the competition on Thursday, crushed Korea 3-0 (25-10, 27-25, 25-18) with A.

Ghafour scoring 13 points and M Ebadipour and F. Ghaemi adding another 11 each.

Previously China had scored their second win in the tournament, shutting out Qatar 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-22) with 14 points each from Jiang C. and Liu L.B.

This leaves the two winners of Friday’s games as the only undefeated sides in the tournament.

Play continued yesterday in the five-team, single round robin tournament at Ardabil, with Qatar playing Kazakhstan and Iran hosting China.

The top two teams of the Ardabil tournament qualify to the 2018 World Championship, which will be jointly hosted by Italy and Bulgaria next year.

Last month Japan and Australia claimed the other two berths available to Asian sides, through a qualification tournament held in Canberra.

Hosts Italy and Bulgaria, defending champions Poland have direct tickets to the FIVB’s flagship tournament. France, The Netherlands, Slovenia, Russia, Serbia, Finland, and Belgium from Europe plus Japan and Australia from Asia have already secured their berths through continental qualifiers.

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