As the Africa Women’s Volleyball Nations Championships quarterfinals heat up in Yaounde, Cameroon, the Nigerian team is gearing up to face off against formidable opponents, Malkia Strikers of Kenya, on Tuesday.
Nigeria’s journey to the quarters has been marked by intense matches and strong performances.
The team finished fourth in Pool A, setting the stage for a challenging encounter against the unbeaten Malkia Strikers, who clinched the top spot in Pool B with an impressive record of five wins, including a single set dropped against Morocco.
Mercy Moim, the captain of Malkia Strikers, emphasized the importance of not underestimating the Nigerian team.
Moim highlighted the thorough preparation Malkia Strikers has undertaken, including analyzing Nigeria’s gameplay and studying their key players.
“We have watched their videos and analyzed and also watched their games. They have like three or four good players and we cannot underrate them. We need to ensure that we neutralize them for us to get into a good winning position,” Moim stated ahead of the quarterfinal clash.
Under the guidance of Brazilian coach Luizomar de Moura, Malkia Strikers have demonstrated their strength by dominating their group matches against Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Morocco, and Lesotho. Coach Luizomar expressed confidence in the team’s preparedness and strategy to tackle Nigeria’s challenge.
“As we face Nigeria in the quarters, we have been collecting their data and have studied their game. We have a strategy that we will share with the team before the match and I think they will respond well like they have in previous matches,” Luizomar stated.
Malkia Strikers also received a boost with the return of Sharon Chepchumba, who has recovered from an ankle injury.
The availability of all players for selection provides the team with the depth needed for the intense competition ahead.
The goal for the Kenyan team is to secure the African title they last won in 2015.
Coach Luizomar aims to guide Malkia Strikers to victory and break the pattern of losing in the finals to arch-rivals Cameroon in the last three championships.
A successful quarterfinal match for Malkia Strikers would set the stage for a semifinal clash against the winner between hosts Cameroon and Morocco.
Additionally, Kenya’s aspirations include securing a historic fourth appearance at the Olympics, reinforcing its position as a leading African team in the global volleyball arena.
