Malkia Strikers' Brazilian coach Luizomar De Moura has tipped Trizah Atuka, Esther Mutinda and Juliana Namutira to be part of the team's upcoming international assignments.
Moura, who was in Tunisia on a scouting mission for the recently concluded Africa Club Volleyball Championships, said the trio impressed despite KCB and Kenya Pipeline registering mixed fortunes in the annual tournament.
Atuka plays for Pipeline while the duo of Mutinda and Namutira are attached to the bankers. Ruaraka-based KCB were eliminated in the round of 16 while Pipeline lost 3-1 against Zamalek in the finals on May 22.
Malkia will be expected to head to Morocco in June for a training camp ahead of the Challenger Cup in Laval, France later in the month.
"We were impressed by the talent on display in Tunisia. Atuka reminded us of her proper qualities at her best. Namutira and Mutinda were peerless. They are going to be part of the Malkia project for the upcoming competitions," Moura said.
Malkia have a tight schedule that also includes the National Olympic Committee of Kenya NOC-K training camp in Miramas, France. The Africa Nations Championships are set for August to crown a tight schedule for the Kenya queens.
On his part, team manager Roberto Opice said the Kenyan players have the potential to become world beaters only if they remove the flaws from their game.
He noted that KCB struggled to replicate the form that saw them crowned champions last year because of the absence of star attacker Sharon Chepchumba. He added that Pipeline would have bagged the title had Veronica Adhiambo played.
"It was the second time for us in Tunisia. The players were outstanding but the teams fell short when it mattered most. The unavailability of Chepchumba was evident in KCB's downfall. Adhiambo too is a player that would have helped Pipeline big time," Opice said.
The Brazilian's week-long stay in Kenya will see the South Americans continue their search for talent in the Kenya Volleyball Federation League matches this weekend.
"We are expected to see the local league resume but we understand clubs are unwilling to play this weekend. We will hold individual meetings with some players especially those who have been abroad for professional stints to get their views," Opice finalised.
