Malkia Strikers brace for tough task in Japan

Malkia Strikers players celebrate after winning a point against Uganda during their openinig match of the 2017 CAVB Zone V World Championship Qualifiers at Kasarani Gymnasiun on Friday, July 28, 2017. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya and Cameroon face stern test in group stages as the FIVB World Championships serves off in Japan on Saturday.

Malkia strikers, who boast a mix of experienced and young players, must prove their mettle as they qualified to global showpiece as runner up.

Questions linger on the team to beat defending champions USA. The Americans, who won the title in Italy in 2014, will be the team to beat in the 24-team tournament although it is not guaranteed it could be the best side at the event this time round as they face stiff challenge from 2014 runner up China and third-placed Brazil.

Kenya and Cameroon will fly the African flag in the three-week tournament staged in four cities from Saturday to October 20. The cities are Hamamatsu, Kobe, Yokohama and Sapporo.

USA, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Azerbaijan and Trinidad and Tobago are in Pool C and will play in Kobe.

Malkia Strikers are in Pool D alongside Serbia, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Kazakhstan and Puerto Rico will line up in their preliminary matches in Hamamatsu.

Kenya Volleyball Federation President Waithaka Kioni said they will not underrate any team despite facing the world’s best sides.

“It’ll be tough match for us if you compare our standards and the developed nations, which gives them an edge over us (African teams),”

He said the tournament gives them a chance to prepare young talents for future international championships.

Africa champions Cameroon, who are in Pool A with hosts Japan, Netherlands, Mexico and Argentina play in Yokohama.

Pool B matches involving Cuba, Italy, Turkey, Bulgaria, Canada and Cuba will be played in Sapporo.

Malkia Strikers arrived in Tokyo on Monday and have since played some international friendly matches.

The team includes experienced setters Jane Wacu and Janet Wanja with Edith Wisah, Trizah Atuka, Lorine Chebet and Christine Siwa as centre setters. Mercy Moim, Noel Murambi, Sharon Chepchumba and Leonida Kasaya while the right attackers are Violet Makuto and Emmaculate Chemtai. Elizabeth Wanyama and Agripina Kundu are the liberos. Japhet Munala is the team coach.