Classy Malkia Strikers make light work of Botswana at Olympics qualifiers

The national women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers inched closer to clinching the Africa 2020 Olympics Games sole ticket after steamrolling hapless Botswana with straight sets as the qualifiers entered second day on Monday in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

The nine-time African champions comfortably dispatched Botswana by sets of 25-17, 25-19 and 25-18 to make it two wins in as many matches after they spanked Egypt 3-1 sets in their opening match on Sunday.

Malkia Strikers will next take on arch-rivals and hosts Cameroon on Tuesday in what will be deemed as the decider before winding up the round robin qualifiers against Nigeria on Thursday.

In a post-match interview, head coach Paul Bitok praised his charges for making light work of their opponents while also shifting focus to their Tuesday’s potentially-explosive match against the hosts.

“The win against Botswana has given us an extra morale before confronting Cameroon tomorrow in what will be an explosive encounter. Since I took over we have met Cameroon three times and I have managed to win two times so we are ready to face them,” he charged.

His captain Mercy Moim noted that the team has improved a lot in terms of service and reception; the areas which have been the biggest undoing for the Kenyan queens.

“We have played very well today because we all improved in our areas of concern and if we play like today then we will clinch the Games ticket,” she underscored.

Malkia Strikers are eyeing an Olympics return after a 16-year drought, with their last outing dating back to 2004 where they finished at position 11, similar to the previous and first outing in 2000.