This archive report was first published on 17 September 2021.
Kenya's women's volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, are gearing up for their semifinal match against Rwanda in the African Nations Championships, with their sights firmly set on qualifying for the 2022 World Championships in Poland and the Netherlands.
The two finalists in the continental showpiece will earn an automatic ticket to the world games, and Malkia Strikers' head coach Paul Bitok is determined to lead his team to the final.
'My target remains to reach the final because we will automatically clinch a slot to next year's World Championships. Since we will be in the final, we will think about the title,' Bitok said after their 3-0 victory over Tunisia on Wednesday.
However, the Kenyans face a tough challenge against an improved Rwanda side, and Bitok has selected three new players, including Kenya Pipeline duo Esther Mutinda and Sinaida Yvonne, and Veronica Adhiambo of the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), to bolster his team's chances.
Mutinda has risen to the occasion with strong set plays, and the contributions of hard-hitting Sharon Chepchumba and bench boosts from captain Mercy Moim have also been crucial in both matches.
After a slow start to the volleyball games, where Kenya lost to reigning champions Cameroon, the Malkia Strikers got back on track by flooring Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0 on Monday, and later followed the victory with another drubbing of Tunisia.
