We wont underrate Botswana, warns Bitok

We wont underrate Botswana, warns Bitok

Fresh from dispatching qualification hopefuls Egypt 3-1, national women’s volleyball team head coach Paul Bitok says they will not underrate rivals Botswana in today’s afternoon clash as they aim to secure qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games slated for Tokyo, Japan.

The Malkia Strikers bounced back from a set down to defeat Egypt 3-1 in Yaounde yesterday putting themselves in vantage position ahead of their second clash against Botswana. The game serves off from 6pm, and Bitok says they will give their qualifying campaign a “one game at a time” approach.

“Every team is the competition wants to win the only available ticket. As a result, we can not underrate Botswana even if we have never lost a match against them.

“We know they are coming into the match very determined and we will keenly observe to know the changes that they’ll make,” he said.

Kenya was punished for a slow start, losing the first set 23-25 before recovering to win the second 25-15 to restore parity.

They capitalized on the momentum to win the next set 25-21 before putting the game to bed with a 25-22 win in the fourth set.

Bitok is counting on the resilience and determination of the charges at his disposal just as it turned out against sworn rivals Egypt.

“I would like to congratulate my team for coming back from a set down and defeating a very strong Egypt side.

“The last time I coached Kenya in a match against Egypt was 10 years ago. So I could not get all the information I wanted regarding them.

Malkia strikers take on Botswana today at 6pm as they hope to prolong their winning start to the campaign.

They then play hosts Cameroon on Tuesday in a must-win fixture that could see them seal their 2020 Olympics qualification and then wrap up their campaign against Nigeria on Thursday.

The team is hoping to end a 16-hiatus by qualifying for the games and also join Kenya Sevens and Kenya Lionesses as the only Team Sports that will represent Kenya in the Summer Games.

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Malkia Strikers Paul Bitok Cameroon olympic qualifier

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