MUST-WIN ENCOUNTER:Rwanda coach Bitok warns Kenya as U23 side seek world slot

Kenya Team's Yvonne Wafula return ball during 2016 Women's U23 African Nations Championship Ranking match against Senegal at Kasarani Stadium on Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Former Kenya captain and Rwanda U23 women’s volleyball team head coach Paul Bitok has sounded a warning to Kenya.

Bitok said his native country should expect a tough match when the two sides clash in today’s (4pm) decisive match of the Africa Nations U23 Women’s Championships at the Kasarani Gymnasium.

This is a fixture that both teams can’t afford to lose as they battle for the remaining one slot to join favourites Egypt at next year’s World U23 Women’s championships in Slovenia. Kenya found themselves in this position after falling 3-1 to Egypt on Monday despite having taken a set lead.

Kenya and Rwanda are tied on six points from three matches, but the hosts need a win of any margin to qualify for the global show piece, while Rwanda who smashed Botswana 3-0 (25-16,25-19,2517) yesterday, must beat Kenya with straight sets to sail through.

Although the 42-year-old Bitok, who coaches all the Rwanda national volleyball teams, is relishing the prospects of reuniting with his home country, he is fully aware of what is at stake.

“We are now done with Botswana, I am happy with the girls performance. But playing Kenya is always tough. It’s not easy to play with your home country especially with people who have been close to you,” Bitok told Feverpitch.

“I really like our Kenyan players and it’s so unfortunate that I will also be looking for the same ticket. I have nothing, but to wish my sister’s all the best and may the best team win.”

Just like Bitok, Kenya’s assistant coach Josp Barasa said they will adopt a more cautious approach against the Rwanda girls.

“We have seen them (Rwanda) play and our strategy remains the same. Reception being our focus and good combination on the net,” said the Prisons Kenya deputy coach.

“It is a good feeling to meet a team coached by our very own (Paul Bitok), but in this situation it is the players playing and not the coach, he will only advise.”

Head coach Catherine Mabwi labelled the game as a ‘must win’ for the youthful Malkia Strikers.

“As you can see, fate is now in our own hands. This is another must win game for us. There is no short cut to qualify for the World Championships,” said Mabwi.

The crunch match will be preceded by an early kick off encounter between Egypt and Botswana where the North Africans are expected to win without breaking a sweat.