Challenger Cup performance to determine Malkia's Olympics squad
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 26.06.24. | 20:13
The teams leaves for Philippines on 29 June
Coach Japheth Munala has admitted that he is yet to decide on his final squad for Malkia Strikers to the Paris Olympic Games.
The tactician says the team will play several high-profile friendly matches in the lead up to the FIVB Challenger Cup in Manila, Philippines and that will determine who makes the final team.
"We have a squad of 19 in camp but only 16, to be named at the end of the week, travel to The Philippines. The federation is chasing matches against local clubs in The Philippines and the national teams that will have arrived ahead of the competition slated for 2 to 7 July.
This gives us a perfect opportunity to try our systems as we have not had any friendlies back home. It will also be a chance for the technical bench to see which match-ups work for us.
It is possible to have a player perform well in training but not in game situations so the Olympic squad of 13 will be decided in competition," Munala said.
Malkia Strikers have been in training for two weeks and are slated to leave the country on 29 June for Manila where they are scheduled to play Puerto Rico in the quarters on 4 July from 3 PM. Belgium play Sweden on the same day.
On July 5, Czechia take on Argentina at 3 PM. The day concludes with a match between the Philippines and Vietnam at 6:30 PM.
The semifinals will take place on 6 July where the winners from the initial matches will compete for a spot in the final slated for 7 July.
2024 FIVB Challenger Cup Match Schedule
𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
3:00 PM
Puerto Rico vs Kenya
5:00 PM
Belgium vs Sweden
𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
3:00PM
Czechia vs Argentina
6:30 PM
Philippines vs Vietnam
𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
Semifinal
𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
Final
