Record-extending tenth African title beckoning for Malkia Strikers

National women's volleyball team Malkia Strikers are set to face Nigeria in the quarters of the ongoing CAVB African Nations Championship in Yaounde, Cameroon on Tuesday evening.

The Luizomar de Moura-coached side finished top of pool B after five wins against Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Morocco and Lesotho, dropping only one set against Morocco. 

As the competition enters the elimination rounds, skipper Mercy Moim maintains that they will not be underating any opponent at this level as that could be detrimental for the side chasing a tenth title. 

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"We have had good preparations from day one at Nyayo and now we are here, in the knock-out stages. We have watched Nigeria and played against some of them during the Club Championships and they are a decent team so we have to be intentional in our approach, making sure we stop their key players," Moim offered. 

The captain admits that Malkia's performance against Morocco, where Kenya lost one set, was a wake-up call. 

"We lost a bit of concentration in the third set, made costly mistakes in reception and service and we cannot have that happen in the elimination rounds. 

Everyone has to be on. Whoever is bringing in the points has to be supported as a win belongs to the team," Moim added maintaining that the 10th African title is coming home. 

The championship had 12 teams pooled into two groups, A and B, with the top four in each proceeding to the knock-out stages. 

With Nigeria finishing fourth in pool A, they present Kenya's first challenge in the elimination round, a match Luizomar's charges go into as favourites. 

"I am grateful for the team's commitment despite the challenges we are facing here in terms of organisation. I am satisfied with the performance so far. The players have remained focused and gone on to finish top of the pool.

We are ready for the quarter-finals. We have been collecting their (Nigeria) data and have studied their game to come up with a strategy we are confident in," Luizomar said.

The tactician is happy to have a fully fit squad at this level of competition, especially with the return of Sharon Chepchumba who was sidelined at the initial stages of the championship with a slight injury. 

"Having all players available for selection is very important for us as it gives us the depth we need as the competition progresses. We are now able to make changes when needed so her return was timely," the tactician offered. 

The Brazilian is looking to guide his charges to a title Kenya last won in 2015 when the competition was hosted in Nairobi. They have lost the last three to this year's hosts Cameroon. 

A win for Malkia Strikers in the quarters will pit them against the winner between the hosts and North Africans Morocco in the semis.

In addition to the African title, Kenya is also chasing a fourth appearance at the Olympic Games, and the second back-to-back slot booked to the global stage since qualifying for the Summer Games in 2000 and 2004.