This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
Published on August 21, 2019, in Rabat, Morocco, Kenya's Malkia Strikers are gearing up to face Cameroon in the African Games volleyball tournament.
Cameroon has emerged as a volleyball force to be reckoned with, having won back-to-back African Championship titles in 2015 and 2017. They had previously never tasted continental glory since winning silver in 1999.
Kenya's Malkia Strikers will once again have a chance to set the record straight when the African Games serves off tomorrow in Rabat with the two teams paired together once again.
Seasoned setters Jane Wacu and Janet Wanja, who have been regular picks for Malkia Strikers, were interviewed by Citizen Digital to discuss Kenya's chances ahead of title defence in Morocco.
Wacu noted that the team doesn't have any pressure as they begin their campaign, saying, 'As defending champions, we don’t have any pressure on our shoulders because it is four years since we clinched the title. Our target in every competition is to win gold and same case in this tournament although it won’t be easy.'
Wanja, however, expressed concerns about the team's preparation, stating that they lack facilities and government support, unlike Cameroon who have been training abroad prior to international events.
With the volleyball games set to kick off on Thursday, Wacu and Wanja were the first players to arrive Rabat on Tuesday afternoon. The team will be buoyed by the return of head coach Paul Bitok, who recently took over the mantle of sharpening the ladies after a short stint by Finnish Sharleen Ramdoo.
Kenya will also take on Algeria and Senegal in pool B, and Wacu has warned her teammates to not only focus on Cameroon and be wary of the threat posed by other teams in the group.
