National women’s volleyball team Malkia Strikers are, just like their mantra says, ‘one team one mission’, on a mission.
The Luizomar de Moura-coached Malkia are in Cameroon, chasing their tenth CAVB African Nations Championship title.
What’s more, the task ahead is not just reclaiming a title they last won in 2015 when the championship was hosted in Nairobi but also qualification to next year’s Paris Olympics.
Skipper Mercy Moim, one of the two players who were part of the 2015 winning squad who are in Cameroon for the task ahead, say that they are under no pressure.
“We know what is required of us and that is playing to win. Whatever is happening outside the court is not in our minds, all our focus is on winning. We are well aware that is the only way we will make it to Paris. We are under no pressure, we have done everything and we are ready,” a confident Moim told Mozzart Sport after the team’s training session on Monday.
As she captains the team to the 2023 championship set to be hosted at the Palais des Sports de Warda, a 5,263- seater facility right at the heart of Yaounde, from 16 August, Moim is confident the team will reclaim the title.
In the last three editions held in Yaounde (2017), Cairo (2019) and Kigali (2021) Malkia Strikers have fallen to Cameroon for the three titles they currently hold, but the team believes that streak is about to end.
“Since leaving Kenya for Morocco, training has been good. The players are focused. We know that the target is not just reclaiming the title but also qualification for the Olympics.Â
The morale in camp is great especially with the support we have received and continue to enjoy from our sponsors Mozzart Bet. We have minimal challenges, the team has gelled well and we are ready for the task ahead,” Moim offered.
Since leaving for the FIVB-sponsored training in Morocco, the team has played several friendly matches to help them prepare for both the FIVB Challenger Cup and later the African Championship.
First up was two matches against the Moroccan national team and two more in France against Mexico and Vietnam before and after the Challenger Cup. The team played Colombia in the quarters of the Cup falling 3-1.
“These matches have been a great boost to the squad. We have gotten the opportunity to work on our chemistry and identify problem areas so we can improve on them in training,” she added.
The skipper further believes that the squad depth, as coach Moura named a mix of youth and experience, will catapult them to the top of the continent.
From the 2015 winning squad, Malkia are still enjoying the services of Moim and Africa’s best blocker Trizah Atuka who has been used as a substitute in Moura’s set up.
Atuka is making a return to the team after recovering from an injury that saw her miss the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and last year’s World Championships.
Other experienced players include the returning Rose Magoi who last featured for Malkia in 2015 during the African Games. She was preferred for the setting role, to assist Emmaculate Nekesa, in place of Veronica Kilabat.
Leonida Kasaya, also making a return to the team, Edith Wisa, Lorine Chebet, solo libero Agripina Kundu, hard-hitting duo of Sharon Chepchumba and Veronica Adhiambo all add to the team’s experience and depth.
The youngsters led by Nekesa, Jemimah Siang’u and Belinda Barasa have also proven an integral part of the team. With debutants Juliana Namutira and Loice Simiyu ready for action.
“This squad gives the coach confidence. Every one is up to the task and the bench players are ready to spring to action whenever called upon. The players just want to win. We have a stronger team than the one we fielded in Kigali. I believe in this squad and we are bringing the title home,” Moim explained.
She further believes that the team is under no pressure; that they will take every challenge head on.
On his part coach Moura reiterates Moim’s sentiments that the team is doing everything to be ready for action.
