Sharon Chepchumba and Veronica Adhiambo, regular fixtures in the national women’s volleyball team, have once again been omitted from the Malkia Strikers squad slated for the African Games in Accra, Ghana, from March 8 to 23.
Both players were absent from the recent African Games Zone V qualifiers in Cairo, Egypt, last month. Chepchumba, known for her powerful attacking, and Adhiambo, an outside hitter, were unavailable for undisclosed reasons.
Chepchumba, recovering from a knee injury and subsequent surgery in December, missed the Egypt assignment. Adhiambo, unable to secure a release letter from her club Tarsus Belediyespor of Turkey, also skipped the qualifiers.
Head coach Japheth Munala’s 18-member provisional squad sees new faces stepping up, with Mercy Iminza and Loise Simiyu expected to fill the void left by Chepchumba. Pamela Adhiambo, versatile in her playing positions, stands in as a potential replacement, capable of covering both outside and opposite hitter roles.
The squad includes familiar names like captain Mercy Moim, despite nursing an injury, while Delphine Musyoki of Kenya Prisons hopes to reclaim her spot after being dropped last month.
Munala is likely to maintain continuity with the squad that secured qualification in Cairo, including stalwarts like vice-captain Trizah Atuka, Edith Wisa, Leonida Kasaya, Lorine Chebet, and Agrippina Kundu.
Meanwhile, the federation announced the national men’s volleyball and beach volleyball teams for the African Games. Notable returns include opposite attackers Enock Mogeni and Abiud Chirchir in the men’s team, bolstering the squad after missing the Egypt assignment. Former captain Mogeni, based in Japan, and Chirchir, attached to a French side, bring experience and firepower to the team.
Head coach Gedion Tarus also introduced new faces like Peter Kamara from Kenya Ports Authority and GSU’s Joshua Kimaru, adding depth to the squad. The men’s teams, including Wafalme Stars, are set to commence non-residential training at Kasarani Indoor Arena.
In beach volleyball, seasoned pairs like Gaudencia Makokha and Naomi Too headline the women’s team, while Elphas Makuto, Jairus Kipkosgei, Donald Mchete, and Edward Kibet represent the men’s team. Both teams aim to build on their past performances, with Makokha and Too eyeing redemption after their silver medal finish in the 2019 Games.
