Wanja, Wacu join camp after Bitok warning

Veteran setters Jane Wacu, Janet Wanja and fast-rising Esther Mutinda, Tuesday linked up with the national women’s volleyball team at Kasarani Indoor Arena hours after head coach Paul Bitok read the riot act against the trio for no-shows during training.

Wacu and Wanja-who command a combined experience of over three decades in the game-and Kenya Pipeline’s prodigy Mutinda, have been missing in the squad preparing for the upcoming Africa Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifiers.

The trio risked being dropped from the 20-member squad for the January 2 to 6 qualifiers to be held in Cameroon, after tough-talking Malkia Strikers boss Bitok Monday vowed to crack the whip if they failed to report by Tuesday.

“We are now full house now and we are ready to intensify our training ahead of the serious assignment we have in January. Missing three setters of course is a big blow because it is difficult to train with only one,” said towering Bitok.

Wacu, who plies her trade with Seychelles champions Anse Royale (ARSU) brimmed with confidence the African Games champions will hit top form before launching the Olympic ticket hunt in Cameroon.

“I arrived in the country last week and was held up with personal matters that’s why I did not join the team immediately but we are ready to hit the ground running from today and no business as usual because we must return to Olympics,” she vowed.

Malkia Strikers are eyeing a Olympics return after a 15-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.

The nine-time Africa champions are penciled to face off with hosts Cameroon, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Botswana, Rwanda, and Mauritius for the one slot reserved for Africa.

Full Provisional Squad

Setters: Jane Wacu, Janet Wanja, Esther Mutinda, Joy Luseneka

Left attackers: Mercy Moim, Leonida Kasaya, Sharon Chepchumba, Noel Murambi

Centre players: Lorine Chebet, Edith Wisa, Carolyn Sirengo, Gladys Ekaru, Pamela Jepkirui, Joan Chelegat

Right attackers: Violet Makuto, Emmaculate Chemtai, Emmaculate Chemtai, Jemimah Siangu

Libero : Agripina Kundu, Lincy Jeruto, Elizabeth Wanyama