Junior Malkia Strikers spank Cameroon to lift African title
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The national women’s Under-20 volleyball team, the Junior Malkia Strikers, were on Monday night crowned the African Volleyball Nations Championship champions after dominating the home team Cameroon in the final held in Yaoundé.
The 3-1 sets triumph saw the Jackline Juma-coached youngsters turn the tables against Cameroon in a rematch of their preliminary encounter on August 5, which the Kenyans lost 3–1 sets.
Kenya drew first blood winning 26-24 in the first set before the hosts regrouped to put brakes on Junior Malkia Strikers charge with a 25-19 win in the second set.
The Junior Malkia Strikers then roared back to win the subsequent sets in 28–26 and 25–16 to secure their first ever continental title.
The win also saw Kenya book her ticket to the 2026 FIVB U20 Women’s World Volleyball Championship.
Kenya reached the final after sweeping Egypt 3–0 sets (25–19, 25–19, 25–23) in the semi-finals on Sunday, while Cameroon overpowered Senegal 3–0 in the other last four encounter.
Earlier in the competition, the Junior Malkia Strikers had finished third in the group stage with 12 points from four wins and one loss, their only defeat coming against Cameroon.
Fast-rising hitter Merlin Tata, the reigning Kenya Cup MVP, was among the standout performers throughout the tournament, delivering powerful spikes and consistent play.
Tata, a Kwanthanze Secondary School alumnus, is set to join the senior team Malkia Strikers ahead of the upcoming World Volleyball Championships to be held in Thailand later this month.
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