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Mercy Moim says Kenya have done their homework on Egypt and have everything needed to win Thursday evening’s final
Malkia Strikers captain Mercy Moim is confident of silencing Egypt to claim a 10th CAVB African Nations Championship title after edging out bitter rivals and hosts Cameroon on Wednesday.
Kenya, who have lost to Cameroon in the last three finals, finally got their revenge when they beat the hosts 3-1 (25-27, 25-14, 25-11, 25-18) in the semi-final on Wednesday night to set up the final with Egypt on Thursday evening with the continental title at stake.
Kenya showed great character to recover after losing the first set to eventually win the match at a packed Palais Polyvalent des Sports arena with every fan rooting for Cameroon.
“Despite Cameroon having their home fans, I told my teammates to take them as our supporters and play as if we are playing at Kasarani,” said Moim.
“My assistant captain Trizah Atuka did a good job as a libero, the setter was also good and everyone on the bench. I told my teammates to play a slow game and the moment they slow down, we peak. Atuka had good blocks, Edith Wisa has the same. In this game, we had 20 blocks which is history
“Egypt, we have been with them for a long period. We know how they play, we know their strategy. We have their videos which we are going to watch to see their strong and weak points.”
Kenya are record champions at the tournament with nine titles but last claimed Africa’s top prize in 2015 and coach Luizomar de Moura faces one final hurdle to end the eight-year drought.
With Cameroon out of the way, Kenya are considered favourites to claim the title and now have one leg in the Paris 2024 Olympics given the West Africans were the only team with a realistic chance had they reached the final.
De Moura’s side have not lost a game at the championships so far, dropping only two sets in the seven matches they have played, en route to the final.
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