Malkia Strikers have their eyes set on a clash with Burundi for a slot in the Africa Nations Championship semifinals. The Strikers will face Burundi today at 3pm in Kigali, Rwanda.
Malkia Strikers on Wednesday defeated Tunisia in straight sets S1 25-20, S2 24-19, S3 25-21 to go on with their impressive form. Strikers fell to Cameroon 3-0 in the opener match but soon redeemed themselves after beating both Democratic Republic of Congo and recently Tunisia.
Head coach Paul Bitok made only one change in his starting six which downed DR Congo 3-0 on Monday, bringing in middle blocker Gladys Ekaru for Lorine Chebet with setter Esther Mutinda once again keeping her position. Tunisia, three-time champions, were first to come off the blocks leading 8-3 in the first technical timeout and this prompted Bitok to bring on captain Mercy Moim, who again had started from the bench, replacing Pamela Masaisai.
“We now have to win against Burundi to continue with the winning spirit so as to keep the morale high ahead of the semi finals. My target remains to reach the finals because we will automatically clinch the next year’s World Championships spots and then in the finals we will think about the title. The squad is young and I’m happy the transition is picking up well with all the new players ready to learn ,” said head coach Paul Bitok.
Promising setter Mutinda, a former Kwanthanze Secondary School alumni, once again left her imprint on a Malkia Strikers match for one piece of sumptuous play against Tunisia and it has led to reaction aplenty. The Kenya Pipeline star has been a big bright spot for the national team in the last two matches as the young gun continues to take his game to another level, but Bitok believes she has her work cut out to cement her position in the squad.
Team Manager David Kilundo also heaped praise on the youngster who cleared form four in 2017, saying she is the next big thing in that position. “If she maintains that performance, then no doubt she will be in the squad going forward. She is young and it’s good she is bursting into the sports at a continental scene. This will help her alongside the other new players gain massive experience ahead of their would-be top careers in the national team.” Said Kilundo.