KENYANS KEEN TO STRIKE BACK: Malkia Strikers eye victory in Algeria

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

Malkia Strikers will be hoping to replicate last year’s second leg FIVB Grand Prix performance when the 2015 edition serves off this evening in Algiers, Algeria.

The nine time African champions will be seeking to extend their dominance over Mexico when the two sides take to the court today at 3.10pm.

Kenya will then lock horns with Australia tomorrow before wrapping up their Group Q preliminaries with a clash against their perennial rivals Algeria on Sunday.

Having beaten all the three teams during the last edition of the tournament held in Mexico and Croatia, the African queens go into this weekend’s round as favourites.

In the first leg of the 2015 edition held last weekend in Monterrey, Mexico, Kenya bagged two points after beating the hosts and losing to leaders Peru (nine points) and fourth placed Colombia (six points) due to poor reception.

Kenya faces an uphill task to qualify for the final in Australia (July 10-13) as they must win all the three matches in the second round.

However, speaking ahead of their opening match against Mexico, head coach David Lung’aho expressed confidence in his team’s ability to bounce back in Algeria.

“In the second leg, we will face familiar teams among them our archrivals Algeria, Mexico and Australia. And these three teams we have won against them previously and I don’t see what should stop us from bagging the nine points,” said Lung’aho.

“It’s sad that we shot ourselves in the foot by showing our competitors our weakness-poor reception, but this should change before we begin the second round. Let’s think of our country, our fans back at home and of course our sponsors as we head into the second round.”

His sentiments were echoed by award winning libero Elizabeth Wanyama who had a disastrous outing in the first leg.

“I know our opponents will be out to capitalise on our reception, but we are not going to give them the satisfaction. I have my work cut out. We are here to collect all the nine points and qualify for the final round and this can only be achieved if we receive well,” said Wanyama.

Meanwhile, Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) national league heads to Bungoma on July 17 after a successful fifth round in Nanyuki over the weekend.

There will be 20 matches in the sixth round with Vihiga County and Western Prisons expected to return to the courts after giving away walkovers in Nanyuki.

The clubs gave away a combined nine free points to opponents with Vihiga dropping six points to Mount Kenya University and Oserian while Western Prisons handed Co-operative Bank three free points.

Domestic men champions, Prisons Kenya head coach Gideon Chenje said his team had a good outing and working on the remaining legs of the league adding that the season has been competitive compared to last season.

“We are on the track. Winning the tournaments motivates the players,” said Chenje

 

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