Volleyball: Head coach savours Kenya’s sweet revenge against Egypt

Malkia Strikers' Coach Japheth Munala during their match of the 2017 CAVB Zone V World Championship Qualifiers against Rwanda at Kasarani Gymnasiun on Saturday, July 29, 2017. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Munala focuses on Cameroon

Malkia Strikers inch closer to qualifying for World Cup in Japan.

National women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, have quickly shifted their focus to October’s (7-14) Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon after they successfully retained their CAVB Zone V World Cup Qualifiers title at Kasarani Gymnasium on Sunday.

Kenya clinched the three-day tournament after winning all their three round-robin matches including Sunday’s crunch tie against Egypt (3-0, 25-18,25-17,25-17), who also secured a ticket to Cameroon after finishing second.

It is an event that saw on-form Kenya Pipeline left attacker Violet Makuto scoop the best player award as her club mate Janet Wanja and team captain Mercy Moim walked away with best setter and attacker’s awards.

Even as Malkia Strikers get ready to chase their record 10th African title in Yaounde, head coach Japheth Munala is thrilled after guiding the Kenyans past their nemesis Egypt.

It was the Egyptians who denied Kenya a ticket to last year's Rio Olympics after defeating Malkia Strikers 3-2 in the qualifiers.

“I am very proud of myself and the team after comfortably beating a team (Egypt) that denied us a chance to go to Rio. I was the coach then and I have been waiting for such an opportunity to revenge for that painful loss," Munala told The Standard Sports.

“We have proved that Kenya is still strong and we are capable of beating any team. I am happy the girls rose up to the occasion and we have made it. That’s a sweet revenge.”

“We are waiting for the final round in Cameroon and do our best. We expect to win and go to Japan.”

Commenting on Makuto and Wanja’s recognition after championships, Munala said;

"Wanja is still one of the best setters in the continent and she has actually proved it by winning the award (best setter) in this tournament. Makuto is also a strong and talented player. I moved her from the centre spot to the right and you saw how she broke all left attacks."

Munala was also impressed with the four debutantes; (Ann Lowem, Leonida Kasaya, Celestine Nyongesa and Emmaculate Chemutai).