Munala selects squad for All Africa Games qualifiers

Malkia Strikers middle blocker Edith Wisa reacts during a past match against the Dominican Republic. [Courtesy]

National women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, coach Japheth Munala opted for a blend of youth and experience when he named his 20-member provisional squad for Zone 5 All Africa Games qualifiers set for Kampala, Uganda, on May 18-25.

The six-day qualifying tournament brings together six teams with the overall winners securing a ticket to the upcoming All African Games in Morocco in August.

Kenya, who won the last AAG title in 2015 in DR Congo, will battle it out with perennial rivals Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi in the preliminary round.

While Munala has retained majority of the regular players led by captain Mercy Moim, KCB right attacker Violet Makuto, Kenya Pipeline middle blocker Trizah Atuka, experienced setter Janet Wanja and her Seychelles-based counterpart Jane Wacu, he has brought in six unfamiliar faces.

Fast rising setter Esther Mutinda and her former Kwanthanze Secondary School teammate have earned their maiden senior team call ups barely two months after staring for Pipeline at the African Club Championships.

Kenya Prisons’ left attacker Pamela Masaisai and DCI middle blocker Caroline Sirengo have made a return to the team after missing out on the squad for last year’s World Championship in Japan due to shoulder injury and paper work respectively.

Also in the team that resumes non-residential training at Kasarani Gymnasium on Monday morning are last years’ national play-offs best libero Linzy Cheruto and her KCB teammate Jemima Siangu.

Recently crowned Africa’s best attacker Sharon Chepchumba and her former Prisons Kenya teammate Lorine Chebet are the other promising youngsters in the team.

And with the quality in the team, Munala who will be joined by an Italian FIVB instructor Shailen Ramdoo on May 11, is confident of guiding Kenya to the Pan Africa Games.

“We are building a team for the upcoming assignments as well as the future. We don’t want to have a transitional problem. We have a good mix of youth and experience. I believe all those called up are in the squad on merit,” Munala told Standard Sports.

The former Pipeline coach noted Uganda and Egypt as their biggest threat in the tournament.

“We need to comfortably qualify as Zone Five winners. But going by Ugandan clubs’ performance at the African club championships, it will not be a walk in the park. Ugandans have really improved, so we must take them and Egypt very seriously,” he said.

The final 14 member squad is expected to be named on May 15.