This archive report was first published on 10 January 2020.
January 10, 2020, marked a significant day for Kenya's volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, as they secured a spot in the Tokyo Olympics after defeating Nigeria 3-0 in the African qualifiers.
Coached by Paul Bitok, the team had been on a mission to qualify for the Olympics, and their hard work paid off as they thrashed Nigeria in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The team, led by veteran Mercy Moim and dependable left attacker Sharon Chepchumba, fired attacks to ensure Kenya got the straight sets victory of 25-15, 25-21, 25-12 against the Nigerians.
After sweeping Nigeria aside, Kenya completed the clean sweep at the championship, having previously defeated Egypt 3-1, whipped Botswana 3-0, and won the five-set thriller against hosts Cameroon 3-2.
Kenya started the match against Nigeria on a high, leading the West African 11-2 before winning the first set 25-15. The Kenyan girls then picked up the game from where they left, leading 4-1, before the Nigerians stepped up to tie the scores at 5-5.
Bitok took over Malkia Strikers last year after 10 years of coaching in Rwanda and has since won the African Games title and made sure Kenya returned to the Olympic Games after a 16-year absence.
Kenya last featured at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic Games, but failed to qualify for the Games in 2008 (Beijing), 2012 (London), and 2016 (Rio) events.
