Malkia Strikers secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Nigeria, with set scores of 25-25, 25-28, and 25-12, in a recent display of skill at the African Games at the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra, Ghana. This win follows their initial triumph against Seychelles, also by a 3-0 margin.
Coach Japheth Munala, while pleased with the results, acknowledges there’s room for improvement, particularly in service accuracy and defense.
Speaking to the media, Munala expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance against Nigeria and his ambition to lead the group, aiming to match up against the fourth-ranked team in the opposing pool.
The Strikers are gearing up for a challenging encounter with the tenacious DR Congo team on Monday. Munala praised Veronica Oluoch for her exceptional performance and hopes she continues this form in upcoming matches, referring to her as a formidable force on the court.
Addressing the absence of left attacker Sharon Chepchumba, Munala admitted her presence was missed, yet he commended Loise Simiyu for stepping up admirably in the match. With an eye on the Olympics, Munala is confident in his team’s readiness, citing that all departments are performing well, with only minor adjustments needed.
Team captain Mercy Moim shared her elation over the win against Nigeria and called on her teammates to intensify their efforts for the upcoming match against Congo.
She highlighted the strategic approach taken in the recent match, where they successfully neutralized Nigeria’s key players early on, leading to an easy win in straight sets. Moim emphasized the team’s focus on taking each match one at a time and trusting in their coach’s guidance for the next challenge.
