NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 18 – Malkia Strikers bagged their third straight victory at the Africa Women’s Volleyball Championship in Yaounde, Cameroon, thrashing neighbors Uganda by straight sets.
The Kenyan girls continued with their emphatic form as they won in sets of 25-15, 25-16, 25-14 at the Mfandena Indoor gymnasium.
They started off their competition with two similar straight sets victories over Rwanda and Burkina Faso, and are now primed to reach the next round of the competition.
The Kenyan technical bench handed the returning Sharon Chepchumba her first start in Yaounde, having been sidelined with an ankle injury in the opening match against Rwanda and used sparingly against debutants Burkina Faso on day two.
As expected, Kenya went ahead 25-14 in a highly one-sided first set but found themselves in trouble in the second one as Uganda led for the first half of the set.
Luizomar’s charges, however, remained calm and worked their way to a 15-14 lead for a spectacular comeback that saw the set end 25-16 in favour of Kenya.
In the third set, Uganda started on a high again, going ahead 3-1 but Kenya’s experience was on display as the side leveled the score at 4-4 then took control to win the set 25-14.
Luizomar made only three changes in the dying minutes of the set, introducing Rose Magoi for Emmaculate Nekesa on setting duties as Loice Simiyu came in for Chepchumba while Belinda Barasa rested Edith Wisah.
“We appreciate the support from the Kenyans who are cheering us on. It is a long competition and getting a third win is good for us.
“We had prepared well for Uganda, having watched them against Morocco on Thursday and that material came in handy when creating a game plan. The squad responded well and we will build on this performance going forward,” said Luizomar.
The tactician explained that playing Chepchumba against Uganda is part of the strategy to get her ready for the knock-out stages as she is a crucial part of the squad.
The Brazilian was also full of praise for Veronica Adhiambo whose services have proven a weapon for the Kenyan side as well as Trizah Atuka’s show in the last three matches, having been preferred for her experience in place of the young Belinda Barasa.
