This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
Published on December 10, 2019, the national women volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, has welcomed back two key players, Jane Wacu and Esther Mutinda, ahead of the Africa Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifiers set for January 2 to 10 in Cameroon.
Head coach Paul Bitok had issued an ultimatum to Wacu, Mutinda, and Janet Wanja to report for training at Kasarani Indoor Arena by Tuesday, or risk being dropped from the team. While Wacu was in camp by Monday evening, Mutinda showed up on Tuesday morning, but Wanja is yet to report.
"I'm glad I'm here with the team. We want to train hard and hopefully qualify for the Olympics. It's every player's wish to grace the Olympics since it's a big tournament," said Wacu, who plays for Arsu in Seychelles.
Bitok explained that Wanja has been given an extension to attend to family issues, and expressed hope that she will join the team soon.
Meanwhile, Bitok will be without middle blocker Lorine Chebet, who is undergoing training at the Kenya Prisons Training College in Ruiru. In her absence, Bitok will rely on Edith Wisa, Violet Makuto, Joan Jelagat, Gladys Ekaru, and Carolyne Sirengo.
Kenya will face hosts Cameroon, Egypt, Algeria, Botswana, Morocco, Nigeria, and Mauritius for the sole slot reserved for Africa.
