Dancing, suave and steely, Malkia Queens ready to conquer Africa

The Kenya women volleyball team Malkia Strikers face a nervous wait to know their group opponents ahead of the African Nations Championship finals cum 2018 FIVB World Women’s Championship qualifiers which serves off in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Saturday.

The Malkia Strikers, a powerhouse in the competition, will most likely land one of their perennial challengers such as Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia or hosts Cameroon.

But despite the tough battle expected to play out in the court, the Japheth Munala coached side are buoyed by the big names in the team’s roster whom they’ll heavily bank on in a bid to defend the crown they won last year at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi.

The evergreen setter Janet Wanja, making a return to the side two months ago after a self-imposed retirement alongside Seychelles based setter Jane Wacu are expected to play a crucial role in the championship.

Meanwhile, the team landed safely in the Cameroonian capital ahead of Friday’s technical meeting and pooling.

“They are in Yaoundé right now and will take a rest ahead of a technical meeting tomorrow,” Kenya Volleyball Federation organizing Secretary Ishmael Chege told Citizen Digital.

With only two top teams from the competition set to qualify for the 2018 FIVB World Women’s Championship, the defending champions will be keen to earn a top spot and at the same time claim an unprecedented 10th continental title in the Cameroonian capital.

Malkia Strikers are set for a heavy task as they will be facing some of the best nations in the continent.

Travelling Squad

-Janet Wanja

– Jane Wacu

-Violet Makuto

-Emmaculate Chemtai

-Mercy Moim (captain)

-Noel Murambi

-Everlyne Makuto

– Praxides Khadambi

-Leonida Kasaya

-Agrippina Kundu

-Edith Wisa

-Trizah Atuka

Technical bench

-Japheth Munala – head coach

-Josp Barasa – assistant coach

–  Dorcas Ndasaba -assistant coach

-David Lung’aho – technical director

-Aisha Otieno – team manager

-Charles Kamau – physiotherapist

Report by John Mbati