Tactical Malkia Strikers face blistering Italy tonight but gaze firmly fixed on Puerto Rico

National women's volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, play their penultimate FIVB Women's World Championships group encounter tonight harboring burning ambitions to reach a previously unattained second round in the global meeting. The fixture, against high flying Italy, is Kenya's 4th in the tournament and is set in the backdrop of a resounding victory over African rivals Cameroon.

Having lost two, won one with another 'winnable' fixture in the offing, the Kenyans know their niche in world volleyball hierarchy and exact figures they need to write another piece of history.

Head coach Luizomar de Moura has urged his charges to enjoy the match against the top ranked team, slated for 7pm, as it is a chance to keep the learning process going. 

Cautious Bitok reveals Malkia Strikers game plan with two matches left

“It is a great opportunity for them to experience this high level. It is important that we face such teams to know where we are and continue our learning process. 

They are far away from us but we need to dream to be there one day. Our players need to be happy and pick positive things when playing against big players," the tactician told Nation Sport. 

Malkia Strikers are fourth on the log in pool A that is headlined by the hosts Netherlands and the Italians at nine points having won all their three games. 

Belgium are third on the log at six points, three more than Malkia who have just one victory against their African counterparts Cameroon. Puerto Rico and the African Champions Cameroon remain winless. 

Assistant coach, Paul Bitok, in an earlier interview said that they will be keen not to use too much energy as they have a more crucial match against Puerto Rico on Saturday.