Atuka returns to Malkia Strikers squad for Olympic qualifiers

The 2023 African clubs best middle blocker Trizah Atuka has been recalled to the national women’s volleyball team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations and Nations Challenger Cup both doubling up as qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Also returning to the Malkia Strikers fold are; setter Esther Mutinda of KCB, left attacker Leonida Kasaya, Kenya Pipeline captain Rose Magoi and DCI left attacker Jemimah Siang'u.

Kenya Pipeline opposite hitter Loise Simiyu, Kenya Prisons’ libero Delphine Misoki and left attacker Juliana Namutira from KCB have earned their first call ups.

Atuka has been absent from the national team since 2019 when she suffered a career-threatening knee injury which sent her on the sidelines for close to one year.

But her return has been fruitful with league’s title and 2023 African Clubs Championships runners up-finish with Kenya Pipeline her instant success.

Mutinda, who last featured for the national team in 2021 during the Africa Cup of Nations in Rwanda, returns after maternity leave and was part of KCB’s squad which finished fifth in this year’s African Clubs Championships held in Tunisia.

The former Kwanthanze Secondary School player will jostle for the final two setting positions alongside her club mate Emmaculate Nekesa, Veronica Kilabat of KDF and seasoned Rose Magoi, who is also making a comeback to the national team since 2019.

Pipeline’s Kasaya, who made her national team debut in 2014 during the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, and who has mostly played second fiddle to Noel Murambi and Mercy Moim— both at club and national level returns with 2019 African Games her last stint with the team.

Ever-green Sharon Chepchumba, captain Mercy Moim, Aggripina Kundu and Edith Wisa are other notable players in the 20-woman squad.

The squad is expected to pitch camp at the Kasarani Indoor Arena next week before it is trimmed down to 16 players then fly to train in Morocco from June 10 before departing for the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Challenger Cup set for June 25-31 in France.

From there, the team will pitch camp in Miramas, France courtesy of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK-) before they head to Cameroon for the Cup of Nations set for August 6-18 in Yaoundé.

“The selection of the squad was very competitive and I believe we’ve picked the best of the best for the upcoming international duties. I’m happy we’ve new faces in the squad who will help the experienced players in the fight for African glory and an Olympics ticket.

“We’ve many young players who impressed us in Tunisia and we want to introduce them slowly and prepare them for the big assignments ahead of us. We will give a chance to all those who will be selected before we name the final squad for the France and Cameroon trips,” said coach Bitok.

The top two teams after the Challenger Cup will be invited to the lucrative Volleyball Nations League where finalists will get direct tickets for the Olympic Games. Malkia Strikers can also qualify by winning this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

MALKIA STRIKERS SQUAD

1. Emmaculate Nekesa - KCB

2. Esther Mutinda-KCB

3. Veronica Kilabat- KDF

4. Rose Magoi- Kenya Pipeline

Opposite attackers

5. Sharon Chumba - Aris Thessaloniki, Greece

6. Loice Simiyu - Kenya Pipeline

7. Pamela Adhiambo- Kenya Pipeline

Left Attackers

8. Moim Mercy - KCB

9. Veronica Adhiambo - Tarsus Belediyespor, Turkey

10. Juliana Namutira, KCB

11. Leonida Kasaya - Pipeline

12. Jemimah Siango - DCI

13. Yvonne Wavinya – Prisons

Libero

14. Delphine Misoki- Prisons

15. Agripina Kundu – Pipeline

Middle blockers

16. Edith Wisah - KCB

17. Belinda Barasa - KCB

18. Lorine Chebet - Prisons

19. Gladys Ekaru - Pipeline

20. Trizah Atuka – Pipeline

Coach- Luizomar de Moura

Coach- Paul Bitok