Malkia Strikers face Morocco in semis after Rwanda debacle

National women's volleyball team, Malkia Strikers have a date with Morocco in the Confederation of African Volleyball Federation (CAVB) Women's African Nations Championship ongoing in Kigali, Rwanda from 11 AM EAT.

Kenya was initially scheduled to play Rwanda who had qualified for the semis after victories against Morocco and Nigeria and were expected to finish top of their group A but the hosts were suspended after a protest by Nigeria that the hosts had fielded ineligible players. 

CAVB then moved to suspend the Rwandese federation as well as the said players and declared their matches forfeited. 

The four players in question, who are all making their debut in the Rwandan team, are right-attacker Aline Siqueira, center Apolinario Caroline Taina, setter Mariana Da Silva and left-attacker Moreira Bianca Gomes.

In a negotiation, Rwanda has asked to be allowed to continue with their competition. CAVB proposed that the team be allowed to continue without the four ineligible players, a request declined by the FIVB stating that they make a decision that would contradict their own regulations on player eligibility.

FIVB sports regulations provides that a player's federation of origin is the first federation to issue a national licence or register the player within its federation. Registering a player means that the player has been registered to play in a volleyball competition for a club, team, school or any other volleyball entity affiliated either directly or indirectly within the federation. 

Paul Bitok is guiding his charges against a much-improved Morocco with a win in that fixture guaranteeing the home girls a ticket to next year's World Championships in Russia. 

"We have to continue concentrating. Morocco have shown alot of improvement in this championship so we shall face them with full force. This is our chance to qualify for world championship. We are not taking any chances. We are playing this match as our final to get that ticket and later we can talk of next action," said Bitok.  

The match against Morocco paves way for the other semi final between defending champions Cameroon and Nigeria. The teams will then have about six hours of rest before getting back on the court for the third ace and final matches scheduled for 7pm and 9pm (EAT) respectively. 

"The issue of having to play one or two matches on the same day is not important for me at the moment. We are chasing that qualification ticket first," added Bitok.

In the event Kenya go past the Moroccans and Cameroon overpower Nigeria in the semi finals, the final will be a repeat of the two side's group opening match that Cameroon won 3-0. The two sides have faced off in the 2017 and 2019 finals of the same competition.