Wanjala eyes top slot at African qualifiers for Commonwealth Games

Head Coach Beach volleyball ladies, Salome Wanjala. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

Newly appointed national women beach volleyball coach Salome Wanjala has challenged her team to prepare for a tough outing in Ghana.

“You are the African beach volleyball queens and you have no option but to remain in top form ahead of the African qualifiers in Accra, Ghana from March 24 to 29,” said Wanjala as the players started residential camp in Mombasa yesterday.

“We decided to camp in Mombasa so that the girls can get used to the sand and the windy conditions that we shall encounter in Ghana.

“We want to go to Accra without much pressure. Our main target is to win the qualifiers with an unbeaten run and qualify for the Commonwealth Games for the first time in beach volleyball history,” said the former national team player.

Wanjala said it will not be easy for the Kenyans as they will face some of the toughest African teams among them Nigeria, Mozambique, Gambia and the hosts Ghana.

Apart from Kenya Pipeline players Gaudencia Makhoha, Naomi Too and Veronica Adhiambo, the rest of the players checked into camp yesterday. The Pipeline trio are expected to join the camp today.

The team will camp until March 20 before flying out the following day.

The women team has Brackcides Agala, Gaudencia Makokha, Yvonne Wavinya, Phosca Kasisi, Naomi Too and Veronica Adhiambo.

Men team has the pair of Ibrahim Odour and James Mwaniki while Donald Mchete and Wilfred Kimutai are making a comeback. Elphas Makuto and Jairus Kipkosgei have been called to the team.