Munala says more to come from Malkia Strikers

The national volleyball team head coach Japheth Munala believes his charges will be in peak form on Saturday when they play their final build-up match ahead of the FIVB Women’s World Championships in Japan.

The Malkia Strikers made light work of Kenya Pipeline on Wednesday in Kasarani, winning by straight sets but Munala insisted his side has yet to hit the desired wavelength ahead of the global showpiece.

Munala’s charges, who have been in a residential training at Kasarani since June, were on Monday handed a massive shot in the arm following the return of setter Jane Wacu. The veteran setter had been out injured alongside Sharon Chepchumba.

“Wacu had a finger injury and has been out for a week and half but now she is back and she is doing well. Yesterday, Chepchumba had an injury on her wrist, she was attended to and so far she is already in the field,” Munala said.

Kenya’s receiving and scoring frailties have been the main focus of the technical bench since the team begun its preparations in June. Munala believes the squad has vastly improved on these key areas of the game.

The nine-time African champions are paired alongside world-beaters Serbia and Brazil as well as Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Kazakhstan in Pool D.

It will be the first time in eight years that Malkia Strikers are taking part in the World Championship having qualified alongside African champions Cameroon after finishing second in the CAVB Women’s Africa Volleyball Championship in October last year.

The team is set to leave for Japan next week Tuesday where they will step up preparations in a 10-day training camp facilitated by Japanese coach Sadatoshi Sugawara.

-Report by Jeff Mogire and Jeremiah Lechipai