L. MathekaBurkina Faso up next for Malkia Strikers in Yaounde
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 17.08.23. | 11:51
The match is scheduled for 2pm (4 pm EAT).
Malkia Strikers will be looking to make it 2-0 in pool B of the ongoing CAVB African Nations Championship when they face debutants Burkina Faso in the second match of the preliminaries.
After opening their campaign with a straight-sets victory over neighbours Rwanda, the Luizomar de Moura-coached national women's volleyball team is expected to have an easy time against the West Africans.
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In his first match in the African tourney, coach Moura made two changes to a squad he has stuck with since Morocco, bringing in youngster Loice Simiyu for the injury-sidelined Sharon Chepchumba and Trizah Atuka for Belinda Barasa.
It is expected that the tactician will start the same lineup in Thursday's match but seeing as this is a weaker side, changes are likely to be made
"We have no idea how they (Burkina Faso) play. We did not get a chance to see them in action in their first against Morocco but the approach remains the same; taking every opponent seriously and sticking to our game plan.
The mission is reclaiming the title we last won eight years ago and qualifying for next year's Paris Olympics so we want to win every match," skipper Mercy Moim offered.
2023 African Senior Women's Volleyball Championship in Yaoundé
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In his post-match interview following the win in the opener, coach Moura emphasised on the importance of having all the players ready to go when called up, adding that he expects the team to keep getting better with each match.
On the two changes made in his lineup, the Brazilian admits that it would have been risky to have a squad composed largely of youngsters hence the need to introduce Atuka for Barasa, bringing in the much-needed experience and leadership on the court.
Meanwhile Burkina Faso president Casimir Sawadogo says this is a great opportunity to get experience playing against higher ranked teams on their debut.
"We had a good game against Morocco and are ready to go up against another African powerhouse. This is invaluable experience for my team and we will keep fighting," Sawadogo said.
