Bitok: Door not closed for Mutinda as Malkia Strikers begin training

Malkia Strikers assistant coach Paul Bitok, who was in charge when the team held their non-residential training in Nairobi, has explained the decision to leave Esther Mutinda out of his final 16.

Mutinda who was expected to be the first-choice setter for the side at the FIVB Challenger Cup and the Africa Nations Championship in Cameroon was left out of the squad that travelled to Morocco for training at a high-performance facility.

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While commenting on the matter before leaving for Morocco, Bitok says the door is not yet shut on the KCB setter and she could be available for part of the upcoming assignments.

“We will definitely miss her services. She is out of the team due to personal reasons but the door is not completely shut on her. We have different competitions and whatever reason has pushed us to this decision to leave her behind could be resolved soon. So, let’s not close the matter,” Bitok offered in part.

Pushed on whether we are likely to see her join Malkia Strikers in Cameroon for the African competition, as rumour mill has it, Bitok says a decision will be made with the entire technical bench, including Brazilian head coach Luizomar de Moura and his team.

“We will have a special meeting in Morocco and deliberate on the reasons we may or may not need her,” Bitok added.

In her absence, the Malkia Strikers technical bench will rely on KCB’s Emmaculate Nekesa and the returning Rose Magoi whose last appearance for the national team was in 2015 but recently guided Kenya Pipeline to silver at the Africa Club Championships.

Veronica Kilabat who was part of the team at the World Championships was also dropped with Bitok explaining that the upcoming championship needed the experience of Magoi hence the decision to have her.

The tactician further explained that the decision to travel with one libero is geared towards addressing the age-old problem of the Kenyan team struggling with reception.

“We have travelled with Agripina Kundu as the only libero, taking a risk to have more players that can play in different position and are good with reception as that will help the team,” Bitok added.