Heartbreak for Malkia Strikers as Egypt ends continental reign at Kasarani
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Malkia Strikers’ dream for a record-extending 11th African crown went up in smoke after suffering a crushing straight-sets defeat (22–25, 15–25, 15–25) to Egypt in the CAVB African Nations Women’s Volleyball Championship final at the Kasarani Indoor Arena on Friday.
The heavy loss saw the Kenyan lasses watch their dream of securing a back-to-back Olympic Games qualification hit a snag as Egypt exacted revenge in the final rematch to lift a fourth African title.
Playing in front of a packed Kasarani Indoor Arena, the defending champions were unable to stem Egypt’s tactical onslaught, missing out on direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympic Games and settling for the silver medal on home turf.
The hosts served off the decider with intense energy, matching Egypt point-for-point in a fast-paced opening set. However, service reception struggles slowly allowed the Pharaohs to build a narrow cushion.
Tactical timeouts called by the Kenyan bench at 17–19 and 20–23 attempted to steady the ship, but pass disruption proved costly, allowing Egypt to withstand Kenya's late rally and claim the opening set 25–22.
Kenya’s struggles deepened in the second set as a sluggish start allowed the visitors to pull away early. With team captain Meldina Sande starting on the bench, the Malkia Strikers lacked their usual floor organization and passing stability.
Sande’s eventual introduction at 10–17 during the second set injected a temporary defensive spark into the side, but the heavy deficit proved insurmountable against a disciplined Egyptian block line, with Kenya dropping the set 15–25.
A brief rally early in the third set saw Kenya wipe out a four-point deficit to level the score at 5–5, briefly reigniting the Kasarani crowd. However, Egypt answered with a decisive eight-point run that put the contest out of reach, closing out the match 25–15.
Despite the defeat, Kenya earned individual honors on the podium as Merlin Tata was named best opposite hitter and Marian Sokoiyo claimed the best middle blocker award.
While the loss surrenders their African crown, the Malkia Strikers end their campaign with silver and an automatic spot at the 2027 FIVB Volleyball World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Pharaohs' dream to turn 2023 silver medal to gold came to reality after clinching the continental crown without dropping a single set throughout the tournament.
Egypt now head back to Cairo with a gold medal and their fourth continental title.
Ealier in the day, 2021 champions Cameroon clinched the third place after sturning Rwanda in straight sets to secure Bronze medal.
The heavy loss saw the Kenyan lasses watch their dream of securing a back-to-back Olympic Games qualification hit a snag as Egypt exacted revenge in the final rematch to lift a fourth African title.
Playing in front of a packed Kasarani Indoor Arena, the defending champions were unable to stem Egypt’s tactical onslaught, missing out on direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympic Games and settling for the silver medal on home turf.
The hosts served off the decider with intense energy, matching Egypt point-for-point in a fast-paced opening set. However, service reception struggles slowly allowed the Pharaohs to build a narrow cushion.
Tactical timeouts called by the Kenyan bench at 17–19 and 20–23 attempted to steady the ship, but pass disruption proved costly, allowing Egypt to withstand Kenya's late rally and claim the opening set 25–22.
Kenya’s struggles deepened in the second set as a sluggish start allowed the visitors to pull away early. With team captain Meldina Sande starting on the bench, the Malkia Strikers lacked their usual floor organization and passing stability.
Sande’s eventual introduction at 10–17 during the second set injected a temporary defensive spark into the side, but the heavy deficit proved insurmountable against a disciplined Egyptian block line, with Kenya dropping the set 15–25.
A brief rally early in the third set saw Kenya wipe out a four-point deficit to level the score at 5–5, briefly reigniting the Kasarani crowd. However, Egypt answered with a decisive eight-point run that put the contest out of reach, closing out the match 25–15.
Despite the defeat, Kenya earned individual honors on the podium as Merlin Tata was named best opposite hitter and Marian Sokoiyo claimed the best middle blocker award.
While the loss surrenders their African crown, the Malkia Strikers end their campaign with silver and an automatic spot at the 2027 FIVB Volleyball World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Pharaohs' dream to turn 2023 silver medal to gold came to reality after clinching the continental crown without dropping a single set throughout the tournament.
Egypt now head back to Cairo with a gold medal and their fourth continental title.
Ealier in the day, 2021 champions Cameroon clinched the third place after sturning Rwanda in straight sets to secure Bronze medal.
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