The Kenya national women’s volleyball team Malkia Strikers have dispatched neighbours Uganda in straight sets to maintain a perfect record at the Africa Nations Cup in Cameroon.
Malkia who were serving for the third time in Pool B at the Complexe Sportif Mfandena in Yaounde made light work of Uganda, defeating them in sets of 25-14, 25-16, and 25-14 on Friday afternoon.
Before Friday’s win, the Kenyans under the tactical nous of head coach Paul Bitok had already eased past Rwanda and Burkina Faso to make themselves favourites for the top slot in pool B.
Malkia opened their account with a straight sets win over Rwanda on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, easing past them in sets of 25-16, 25-20, and 25-17.
The masterclass followed by Thursday’s drubbing of Burkina Faso in a similar style, underlined Kenya’s intentions of snapping up a 10th Africa Nations Women’s Volleyball title.
Bitok’s queens have two matches left to see off the group stage. They play Morocco and Lesotho on Saturday and Sunday respectively with both expected to be easy wins.
This is the 21st edition of the Women’s Volleyball Africa Nations Cup. The biennial event served off in two host venues of Yaounde on August 16 and ends on August 25, 2023.
The continental showpiece has 12 participating teams in two pools.
Pool A has hosts Cameroon, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Mali, and Burundi while Pool B has Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Lesotho, and Morocco.
From the group stage, the tournament will head directly into the semifinals with only two teams from each pool making it to the last four.
Defending champions Cameroon who have beaten Kenya in the finals of the last three champions are Pool A favourites having won all their matches so far in straight sets, too.
Apart from having the title in the bag, Kenya seeks to secure Africa’s sole ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The slot is reserved for Africa’s highest-ranked team.
Cameroon is the biggest hurdle that stands between Malkia Strikers and their dreams.
