Malkia Strikers start African Volleyball Championship defence 3-0

Kenya’s Malkia Strikers opened their CAVB Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship title defence with a 3-0 victory over Zambia on Tuesday night. The defending champions won 25-14, 25-9 and 25-11 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena to make a commanding start on home ground.

Elizabeth Masai Sokoiyo was central to Kenya’s control of the opening set. The hosts moved 7-1 ahead, with Sokoiyo contributing three points during that early surge. Zambia called a timeout, but Kenya continued to dictate the contest and took the set 25-14.

Kenya extended their advantage in the second set, reaching 20-8 before coach Geoffrey Omondi made changes. Terry Tata and Emmaculate Nekesa entered for Esther Mutinda and Mercy Iminza, and Tata quickly added three kills as the Malkia Strikers completed a 25-9 win.

Omondi used more of his squad in the third set, bringing captain Meldinah Sande, Belinda Barasa, Veronica Adhiambo and Gladys Ekaru into the match. Zambia could not alter the pattern as Kenya maintained their lead and finished the contest with an 11-point margin in the final set.

Kenya recorded 39 kills and six blocks across the three sets, while Zambia gave up 21 points through errors. The result places the champions among the teams making an immediate statement at the start of the championship, alongside straight-set winners DR Congo, Uganda, Egypt, Rwanda and Cameroon. DR Congo defeated Burundi, Uganda beat Senegal, Egypt overcame Burkina Faso, Rwanda saw off Algeria and Cameroon won against Ghana.