Malkia Strikers, Wafalme Stars land in Cairo for African Games qualifiers

The national women’s volleyball team head coach Japheth Munala has warned against underestimating their opponents even as he exuded confidence Malkia Strikers will reign supreme in the Zone V Volleyball Championship set to serve off on Friday in Cairo, Egypt.

The ten-time African champions alongside their male counterparts, Wafalme Stars, landed safely in the Egyptian capital on Wednesday at around 9am aboard EgyptAir ahead of the event that is also serving up as the 2023 African Games qualifiers.

“We know everyone will want to beat Malkia Strikers and we’re ready for the challenge. We cannot underestimate any team but we’re confident we will win the championship and get the ticket for the African Games."

Captain Mercy Moim warned of the threat posed by the host team but remained optimistic they will punch the Games' ticket as they seek to defend their 2019 crown in Ghana from March 8-24.

“Despite the players returning from Christmas overweight, we’ve been able to remain top and we are ready for the task. The technical bench has done their part and now is our turn to pay them with a win in Cairo,” said Moim.

Munala named a final 14-member squad for the trip with Kenya Pipeline's hard-hitting attacker Pamela Adhiambo and DCI's opposite hitter Mercy Iminza earning their first call ups to the national team.

The reigning African champions will however miss 2023 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Most Valuable Player Sharon Chepchumba, who is recovering from a knee injury having undergone a surgery recently.

The Kenyans are also without attacker Veronica Adhiambo who did not get a release letter from her club Tarsus Belediyespor of Turkey.

Two teams from each gender will qualify to represent the region at the delayed Games.

The men’s side, under the tutelage of Gideon Tarus, will be seeking to return to the African Games scene after a 13-year absence with their last appearance dating back in 2011 when they finished runners up in Maputo, Mozambique.