Kenya are hoping to reclaim the CAVB African Nations Championships crown after an eight-year wait and also inch closer to Paris 2024 Olympics qualification
Malkia Strikers have a date with destiny as they serve off the CAVB African Nations Championships in Yaoundé, Cameroon on Wednesday, looking for a record extending 10th title.
Kenya are in Group B alongside Morocco, Rwanda, Uganda, Burkina Faso and Lesotho while Pool A has hosts Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria, Burundi, Mali and Algeria.
This year’s competition has more importance as it will also act as the Olympics qualifier with ranking points at stake as only the top ranked African team by June next year set to seal the ticket to the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, France.
While they are the record champions, Kenya’s last title arrived eight years ago and it is that long wait that head coach Luizomar de Moura is seeking to end.
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09:34 - 07.08.2023
VOLLEYBALL CAVB confirms African Nations Volleyball Championship dates amidst controversy
Malkia Strikers are ready to face defending champions Cameroon in a highly anticipated tournament.
Kenya have had to watch Cameroon claim the last three titles but they have been given a psychological boost, somewhat, by the division within the Indomitable Lionesses camp.
Wrangling within the Cameroon volleyball federation has split the playing unit into two with some key players set to miss out on the continental championship as new president Bello Bourdane and his predecessor Julie Serge fight for control of the association.
With a united Kenyan camp, there is hope that Malkia Strikers can profit and deliver the crown which will leave them in good stead to seal an Olympics ticket for the second straight time after featuring at the delayed 2020 edition in Tokyo, Japan.
Kenya’s preparations have gone on well and they arrived in Cameroon early to continue tuning up for the championship. That was after exiting the FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup at the quarter-final following a 3-1 loss to Colombia last month.
Brazilian coach De Moura, assisted by veteran Paul Bitok, have plenty of experience and selected a squad with a good blend on youth and knowhow.
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19:00 - 04.08.2023
VOLLEYBALL Malkia Strikers set target ahead of African Senior Women's Volleyball Championship
The team is currently training at the Velizy city in France and they are set to leave France on Saturday, August 5 then fly directly to Cameroon.
Captain Mercy Moim and Africa’s best blocker Trizah Atuka are the only surviving members from the triumphant ‘Class of 2015’ but they are backed by the returning Rose Magoi, while Edith Wisa, Leonida Kasaya, Veronica Adhiambo, Sharon Chepchumba and libero Agripina Kundu add the much-needed experience.
Kenya will, however, been unwise to look at Cameroon alone since Egypt also pose a big threat, especially with Faridah El Askalany and Mariam Metwally, both of Zamalek, in their ranks.