Kenya's Malkia Strikers are about to start their Paris 2024 Olympic adventure with a big game against Brazil, the two-time champs, on Monday! They're playing at the South Paris Arena, and it's gonna kick off at 2 PM for those keeping track in East Africa.
A Super Exciting Showdown
So, the Malkia Strikers are Kenya's women's volleyball team, and they're heading into their sixth Olympic Games. They've never won a set before, but they're totally pumped to change that in Paris. This group of badasses is super determined to do something big this time around.
Their coach, Japheth Munala, is like, "Yeah, Brazil's pretty good, but we ain't scared. We've trained hard, and we're going all in on Monday." So they're definitely ready to give it their all.
They've Been Working Their Butts Off
To get ready for this huge match, the Strikers played in the FIVB Challenger Cup in Manila, got pretty far, but then lost to Puerto Rico. But they didn't let that get them down. They went to Miramas, a place in Southern France, for two whole weeks to train like crazy. They've been working on serving, blocking, hitting, and catching the ball. Basically, they're sharper than ever.
Munala says, "We've practiced everything, so we're all set for the match."
The Stars of the Show
The team's got some pretty amazing players to keep an eye on. Captain Trizah Atuka, who's a beast in the middle, will be there, along with Sharon 'Chumba' Kiprono, who's an absolute force on the opposite side. And let's not forget about Aggripina Kundu, who's a rockstar at libero. Veronica Adhiambo, who's playing in Greece, is also going to be a big deal. The setters, Esther Mutinda and Immaculate Nekesa, are like the team's brainiacs, making all the cool moves. And then there's Pamela Adhiambo, who really showed off her skills at the Challenger Cup.
A Tough History
Brazil and Kenya have played each other seven times before, and, sadly, Brazil's won all of them. They've taken all 21 sets, too. But you know what? The Malkia Strikers aren't letting that get to them. They're just hyped to prove themselves.
The Road Ahead
After playing Brazil, the Strikers are going to face Poland, who've got two bronze medals under their belt, on Wednesday. Then, on August 3rd, they're playing Japan, who used to be the Olympic champs way back in 1964 and 1976. They're all playing in the same spot, the South Paris Arena.
These Kenyan ladies are a mix of seasoned pros and fresh faces, and they're really looking to make a splash in the Olympics this time. Winning that first game against Brazil would be epic and totally set the mood for the rest of their group matches.
So, if you're a fan, make sure to check out the South Paris Arena to see if the Malkia Strikers can break their group stage curse and become legends in Paris!
