Malkia Strikers captain confident in young squad ahead of World Championship

Malkia Strikers' final 14-player squad for the FIVB 2025 World Championship, set for Friday, 22 August, to Sunday, 7 September, in Thailand, was named on Thursday, 14 August, with captain Meldina Sande expressing confidence in the squad ahead of the global competition. 

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Sande, who is captaining the new-look Malkia Strikers for the first time, believes the squad has done everything possible to get the best preparations, despite disruptions occasioned by the nation hosting the African Nations Championship (CHAN). 

"Training has been good. Coaches have worked on areas we traditionally struggle with, mainly reception, service, net, and back-court defense, because our attack is something we don't struggle with.

We have been polishing these areas day by day, and everyone is ready for the championship," Sande told Mozzart Sport. 

Kenya is fielding a squad that is missing some of the mainstays, led by long-serving skipper Mercy Moim, award-winning middle blockers Trizah Atuka and Edith Wisah, and the hard-hitting Sharon Chepchumba, among others. 

"We have a young squad, but we are not lacking in experience as we have a good number who played in the last Championship, Paris Olympics, and Beach Volleyball African competitions. 

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However, we have a few who don't have the global experience and were eager to make the final team, which made training much more engaging and enjoyable.

We had our last training on Wednesday, 13 August, and the morale is high," Sande confirmed. 

The experience of Sande, Africa's best setter Emmaculate Nekesa, Veronica Adhiambo, Gladys Ekaru, all who were part of the team in the last World Championships, among others, are expected to partner with Paris Olympics star Pamela Owino in leading the charge for Malkia Strikers. 

The team will depart for Vietnam for a series of friendly matches against Vietnam and Spain before heading to Thailand on 20 August.

Departure will be in two batches, with the first group flying to Vietnam on Thursday night and the second leaving on Friday

Kenya has been drawn in Pool G alongside Poland, Germany, and Vietnam, a challenging group, but one that head coach George Omondi believes his side has the potential to surmount. 

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The team is playing in their first tournament since the Paris Olympics, where they exited at the group stage. This is also Omondi's first assignment since he was appointed national team boss in April.