Malkia Strikers head coach Paul Bitok has named his final squad of fourteen players that will head to Netherlands for the FIVB Women’s World Championships next week.
Libero Veronica Makokha and middle blocker Magdalene Mwende were dropped from the final squad with Bitok blending youth and experience in his fold.
Seasoned players led by captain Mercy Moim, Noel Murambi, Edith Wisah and reigning African best attacker Sharon Chepchumba were included in the traveling squad.
Head coach Paul Bitok, who is handling the team alongside four Brazilian coaches, led by Luizomar de Moura also included five debutants Veronica Adhiambo, Veronica Kilabat, Emmaculate Nekesa, Magdalene Sande and Belinda Barasa in the final 14-member squad.
Others in the 14-member squad are; Lorine Chebet, Gladys Ekaru, Everlyne Makuto and left attacker Yvonne Wavinya, who will shift to play as Libero in Netherlands alongside seasoned Aggrippina Kundu.
Bitok exuded confidence in his team ahead of the world championships and thanked the Kenya Volleyball federation for enabling them camp in Brazil ahead of the gruesome challenge.
“The selection of the 14 was done based on merit and other considerations which included; personal skills, position competition, statistics from both training sessions, friendly matches and the team player. The team has greatly improved and is now better than we were last time, this after the good training and facilities we have been using in Osasco. I am very glad and most thankful to KVF for bringing us here in Brazil. I am proud of the team at the moment,” Bitok said in a statement.
Malkia Strikers, who have camped in Brazil for a two-month training camp, will fly to Serbia on Wednesday where two build up matches are lined up against local clubs before leaving for Netherlands on September 20.
Kenya has been drawn in Pool A, where they will take on the hosts Netherlands, African rivals Cameroon, Italy, Belgium and Puerto Rico.
They will open their campaign against the hosts on September 24.
Bitok believes the team’s minimum target will be to get to the second round, and this will mean they have to win at least two matches to stand a realistic chance.