Malkia Strikers start chase for global ticket at Kasarani today

Women Volleyball team members Jane Wanja and Evelyne Makuto (right) training ahead of Zone Five World Championship at Kasarani Stadium. [Jonah Onyango/Standard]

National women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, head coach Japheth Munala has set his eyes on qualifying for next year’s FIVB World Championship in Japan as this year’s CAVB Zone V World Cup qualifiers serves off at the Kasarani Gymnasium, today.

The three-day tournament that will be played in a round-robin format, after attracting four teams (Kenya, Egypt, Uganda and Rwanda), will see the top two teams join hosts Cameroon in the final continental qualifying round on October 7-14.

The top two teams in the final round will then represent Africa at the 2018 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championships in Japan.

Despite labelling Egypt as their main threat, Munala has made it clear to the nine time African champions that they must give their best and retain the title they won in 2015.

“All teams are tough, but Egypt is the strongest team in the championships followed by Rwanda and then Uganda.

“But we are going to take one game at a time to ensure we qualify for final round of African Cup of Nations and the World Championships qualifiers,” Munala told The Standard Sports yesterday.

Asked if he feels any pressure after the heroics of the men's team in Rwanda where they won the regional tournament and qualified for the African Cup of Nations after many unsuccessful attempts, the Kenya Pipeline coach said: “I don’t have any pressure; the men team did their best and qualified after many years of misses.

“It is good for them and we should also play our hearts out and qualify. Of course the competition is going to be stiff but we have what it takes to qualify.” Munala’s sentiments were shared by former national team star, Dorcas Ndasaba who is now his deputy.

“With my experience in the national team, we are going to work closely with coach (Japheth Munala) and ensure we achieve our goals.

We have had good training sessions with the girls and I believe they are ready for the tournament.

“They have what it takes to qualify and I know they will make it,” said Ndasaba, who starred for Kenya at the 1998 World Championship and 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Malkia Strikers captain Mercy Moim also said the team was in a good mood thanks to the return of the experienced duo of Janet Wanja (setter) and Braxcides Agala (centre).

“We are delighted to have Wanja and Agala back in the team. We urge fans to turn out in large numbers and cheer us to victory.

“The girls are focused and will not disappoint them,” said Moim.