Wafalme Stars assistant coach Elisha Aliwa is confident the national men’s volleyball team is on course for a podium finish at the ongoing African Games in Accra, Ghana.
Today’s quarter final clash between Kenya and Burkina Faso is slated for 1pm.
Aliwa, who locally coaches KDF team, is bullish they will stroll past the West African opponents for a last-four slot.
Wafalme have won all their last three matches in straight sets and Sunday’s 3-0 win over Gambia was their latest onslaught against their opponents in Accra.
They beat Chad, hosts Ghana and Gambia 3-0 to set up a quarterfinal clash against Burkina Faso who failed to register a single win in Group B.
“Our target in this championship is to be in a medal bracket. We are taking each match at a time and we are looking forward to being in the final. For now our focus is on the quarterfinal clash and we are looking forward to winning.”
Burkina Faso is not expected to pose a major threat to Wafalme as it has been one of the weakest sides in the tournament so far, and Wafalme had an easy ride on them during the 2021 African Championships held in Rwanda.
Aliwa, however warned his charges not to drop the ball against the West African side as they can upset them.
“We have the desire to storm to the finals and we should not underrate any opponent. We have been poor in blocks and we are doing everything to ensure we fill the deficiencies and cruise through to the final. We really desire to bag our first title, noted Aliwa.
Aliwa will be looking to maintain his winning team that has included setters Kelvin Maiyo, Dennis Omollo and Nicholas Matui, opposite hitter Joshua Kimaru, libero Hudson Kipchumba who is enjoying a stellar form in the competition and middleblockers Levis Ogutu together with Wilson Cheruiyot.
Should Wafalme beat Burkina Faso, they will face either Cameroon or Chad in the semifinals as they hunt for a medal since bagging bronze in Maputo, Mozambique in 2011.
Other quarter finalists are Nigeria who will battle out with Ghana while Egypt take on Gambia.