Wacu: We want to leave a trail of success for Malkia

Wacu: We want to leave a trail of success for Malkia

Malkia Strikers’ setter Jane Wacu has said that the team is focused on leaving behind a trail of success for the younger players coming through the ranks saying they are desperate to ensure they make it to the Rio 2016 Olympics.

“For some of us it probably is the last chance to play at the Olympics so this chance is more than just qualifying. It’s a chance to show incoming players the way so they can continue Malkia Strikers’ history of success,” Jane Wacu told Citizen Digital.

Wacu also rallied the Kenyan fans to support them like they always have when the team is winning saying it’s their chance to prove they can stand by the team.

“All these teams we’ve been pooled against are very energetic. We are on a poor run and I have to say it feels like bad luck. I am confident we’ll shake it off. I want to live a mark on this team. I want to leave it better than I found it,” she added.

The team that travels on May 17 after missing out on an automatic ticket to Rio after losing 3-2 to Egypt in the semi-finals of the African Qualifiers before booking their place in the repecharge World Qualifiers by finishing third in the competition.

Head Coach David Lung’aho said that the team has prepared well.

“Our last two weeks have been on intensive training and according to my assessment things are turning out positive. The players are responding well in training and our target still remains the same; winning,” he stated.

“Losing in Cameroon wasn’t so easy to take for us and we had to go back to the drawing board. We’ve made two new additions to the team and the overall team morale is high. We’ve tried rectifying on the mistakes that cost us; especially ball control.”

Lung’aho adds that he has taken charge of the team’s last two days of training and has been impressed with the players’ reactions.

“I tell my players they’re winners. They are achievers and they have to keep that going”

He was full of praise for Mercy Moim – who plays at left attack for the 2015 Group 3 World Grand Prix winners and joined way back in 2005 when she was only 16.

“She has not looked back since making her debut. I think she is the one player that always sticks back for more personal training. She is a very brilliant player and I think what has made her be what she is the fact she joined the national team at a very tender age. She is disciplined and highly committed in growing her talent.”

Moim has become one of the top players in the Finnish league and was voted the best in her division last year.

Lung’aho noted that Argentina is a very good team and having faced off many times with them and boasting a better head to head record over the side, they cannot look down on them.

“We stand an equal chance of qualifying and if we play well. All the players in our current squad apart from Janet Wanja haven’t been to the Olympics so I know they have the motivation.”

“They have this chance they cannot afford to let it slip.”

-PUERTO RICO/WORLD GRAND PRIX TEAM-

David Lung’aho- Head Coach

Japheth Munala- Ast. Head Coach

Mercy Moim- Left Attacker (Captain)

Jane Wacu- Setter

Janet Wanja- Setter

Evelyne makuto- Left Attacker

Violet Makuto- Right Attacker

Monica Chepkemboi- Left Attacker

Blackcides Kathambi Agala- Middle Blocker

Noel Murambi- Left Attacker (Vice-Captain)

Esther Wangeci- Right Attacker

Agripina Kundu- Liberu

Trizer Atuka-Middle Blocker

Edith Mukuvilani- Middle Blocker.

Tags:

David Lung'aho Malkia Strikers Puerto Rico Jane Wacu Mercy Moim Rio 2016 World Grand Prix World Olympics Qualifiers

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