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Malkia Strikers leave for Japan World Cup

Thursday, September 12th, 2019 00:00 | By
Malkia Strikers celebrate after winning their gold medal in the women’s volleyball during the just-concluded African Games in Rabat, Morocco. Photo/PD/AMOS ABUGA

Fourteen players and six officials left the country yesterday for Japan where the national team Malkia Strikers will battle it out with 11 other top ranked teams in the 13th edition of the FIVB Women’s World Cup set to be hosted in six venues across five host cities from September 14-29.

Malkia Strikers, under coach Paul Bitok assisted by Japheth Munala and Josp Barasa, play their opening matches against United States, Argentina, Netherlands, Serbia and Brazil in Hamamatsu before taking on Dominican Republic, hosts Japan and China in Sapporo. 

The final matches against South Korea, Russia and Cameroon will be played in Osaka.

 Bitok, who guided the women to the just-concluded Africa Games’ gold medal beating newly-found nemesis Cameroon 3-1, says they will use their first match, on September 14, against USA to gauge their preparedness for the competition since third globally ranked Americans.

“We did not get to play friendly matches ahead of this competition and playing a tough team in our first match will play to our advantage as it will prepare us to face lower ranked teams.

If we can get points above 20 or even a set will be good for motivation,” said Bitok.

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