Malkia Strikers ease Wacu injury doubts

The national women’s volleyball team head coach Japheth Munala has diffused the situation surrounding Jane Wacu’s injury concerns ahead of the 2018 World Championships in Japan.

Munala said the seasoned setter should be able to return to training next week on Monday as the Malkia Strikers put the final touches on their preparations for the Sept. 29 – Oct. 20 showpiece.

The tactician said scans on Wacu’s fingers showed nothing alarming with the revelation coming as a boost for Malkia Strikers who will be making their fourth successive appearance at the global competition.

As Wacu regains full fitness, Munala has recalled Kenya Pipeline setter Joan Muindi to fill in and help the nine-time African champions during build up matches.

“Muindi will pair up alongside Janet Wanja for the time being as we wait Wacu to recover from her injury,” Munala, who doubles up as the Kenya Pipeline head coach, said.

Meanwhile, Munala is confident his charges will hit top form before they jet out for Japan on September 18 ahead of their date with destiny in the championship.

“We are working on reception bit which has been hurting us for a long time but we have already perfected the other areas and by the time we leave for Japan all will be set,” an optimistic Munala told Citizen Digital.

On their arrival in Japan ,the Kenyan queens who have been in the residential training at Kasarani Indoor Arena since June, are scheduled to play four warm-up matches against host’s clubs before the championship serves off ten days later.

Malkia Strikers are paired alongside world-beaters Serbia and Brazil as well as Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Kazakhstan in Pool D.

Kenya will launch her quest for the title against Kazakhstan on September 29 before confronting Serbia a day later, and subsequently face Puerto Rico, champions Brazil and Dominican Republic in other preliminary matches.