In what is a blow for the Japheth Munala-led squad, Africa's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Sharon Chepchumba is set to miss the competition as she is nursing an injury
Reliable Malkia Strikers setter Esther Mutinda is back with Malkia Strikers as the team begins training for the Africa Games qualifiers set for later in the month in Egypt.
She will vie for a starting berth alongside Africa's best setter in last year’s Africa Women’s Nations Championship held in Cameroon, Emmaculate Nekesa as well as the experienced Joy Lusenaka.
In what is a blow for the Japheth Munala-led squad, Africa's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Sharon Chepchumba is set to miss the competition as she is nursing an injury picked while featuring for her side PAOK.
In her absence, Munala has Mercy Iminza, Loise Simiyu, Pauline Ito and hard-hitting Pamela Adhiambo, who can play as outside and opposite hitter to choose from.
"It's a tricky situation but we shall overcome. Chepchumba is a good player whose presence is an added advantage to the team. We have limited time but we hope the few days we have we will get a good combination in the that department. I've been forced to train Adhiambo in both positions because you don't know what can happen," Munala told Nation during the team naming.
The tactician who returns to the helm as head coach, taking over from Paul Bitok who is now serving as the federation's deputy president, will be banking on the availability of outside hitter Veronica Adhiambo who is expected to link up with the team before they depart on 20 January.
SETTERS
1. EMMACULATE NEKESA
2. ESTHER MUTINDA
3.JOY LUSENAKA
LIBERO
1 .AGRIPINA KUNDU
2. LINCY JERUTO
3. ELIZABETH WANYAMA
OPPOSITE PLAYERS
1. LOICE SIMIYU
2. PAULINE ITOO
3. MERCY IMINZA
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
1. EDITH MUKUVILANI
2. LORINE CHEBET
3. TRIZA ATUKA
4. BELINDA BARASA
OUTSIDE HITTERS
1. MERCY MOIM-CAPTAIN
2. JEMIMAH SIANGU
3. JULIANA NAMUTIRA
4. PAMELA ADHIAMBO
5. SARAH NAMISI
6. PAMELA JEPKIRUI
HEAD COACH – JAPETH MUNALA
ASSISTANT COACH- J0SP BARASA
TRAINER - JANET WANJA
TEAM MANAGER- CPA JOHN OGARA
PHYSIOTHERAPIST - SARAH KARONGO