Malkia Strikers to renew rivalry with Cameroon in Morocco

Malkia Strikers middle blocker Edith Wisa reacts during the match against the Dominican republic. [FIVB]

National women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, have a perfect chance to revenge their 3-2 African Nations Championship final defeat to Cameroon after both sides were drawn in the same group B of the upcoming African Games slated for August 19-31 in Morocco.

Kenya, who overcame Cameroon, to 3-1 (15-25, 25-14, 25-15, and 25-19) to lift the last AG title in 2015 in Congo Brazzaville, lost to their newfound rivals in a second successive continental final match (17-25, 27-25,23-25,25-23,13-15) in Cairo last month.

The Shailen Ramdoo trained side arrived back in the country in batches on Tuesday after a disastrous outing at the Intercontinental Olympics qualifiers in Italy.

Kenya will also have to battle Senegal and Algeria in the preliminary round of what has been considered as the ‘Group of death’. Group A comprises hosts Morocco, Botswana, Mauritius and Nigeria.

In an interview with Standard Sports, assistant coach Japheth Munala exuded confidence that Kenya will retain the title.

“Though we are in a tricky group, I think being with Cameroon in the same group is a blessing in disguise to us. We have the advantage of testing ourselves in the group stages rather than in the knockout. This will give us a scope of what to expect in the later stages of the tournament,” said Munala.

“But that doesn’t mean we are going to underrate Senegal and Algeria, we have to take good care of them too. We have four days or so to prepare for this tournament. Italy was a good training ground for us and our aim now is to retain the title in Morocco.”