Kenya storm African qualifiers for 2016 Olympics semis
Kenya national women's volleyball team celebrate after a past match. They beat Tunisia 3-0 to sail into the semi-finals of African qualifiers for 2016 Olympics at the Palais des Sports Hall in Yaounde on Saturday. PHOTO | FIVB
What you need to know:
- Kenya stormed the semi-finals of African qualifiers for 2016 Olympics after thrashing Tunisia 3-0 (25-20, 25-17 and 25-23) at the Palais des Sports Hall in Yaounde, Cameroon.
- Kenya were joined in the last four by Cameroon. The hosts laboured to beat the North Africans 3-2 (25-20, 25-20, 29-31, 21-25 and 15-6) in a thrilling match on Friday night.
Kenya stormed the semi-finals of African qualifiers for 2016 Olympics after thrashing Tunisia 3-0 (25-20, 25-17 and 25-23) at the Palais des Sports Hall in Yaounde.
The African Queens, who have a match in hand, led from the start of the match played on Saturday night and never looked back.
Kenya were joined in the last four by Cameroon. The hosts laboured to beat the North Africans 3-2 (25-20, 25-20, 29-31, 21-25 and 15-6) in a thrilling match on Friday night.
The match between Kenya and Cameroon that was to be played last night was formality as it is meant to determine which team finishes top in Pool A.
Minnows Uganda and Botswana and Tunisia exited the tournament after losing their opening two games in Pool A.
“This is a good start. We were in control all through. Even when our opponents raised their game, we were able to contain them,” said Kenya’s captain Mercy “Suzuki” Moim.
MORALE BOOSTER
Kenya will meet either Algeria or Egypt in the semis at a yet-to-be determined date and time. Either of these four semi finalists will play at the Rio de Janiero Olympics later this year.
The national team’s win over Tunisia was a morale booster for new coach Japheth Munala who landed the job las October.
It was sweet revenge for Kenya who were beaten by Tunisia and denied an opportunity to compete at the World Championships in 2014.
Munala picked Edith Wisa, Everlyne Makuto, Jane Wacu, Lydia Maiyo, Triza Atuka and Elizabeth Wanyama to start against Tunisia.
The African champions dominated the first and second sets to win widely before Tunisia came back in the third set to overcome a 10 point deficit and draw 22-22, but again, Kenya used their experience to win the tough set 25-23.
SATURDAY: Algeria 3-0 Uganda (25-22, 25-14, 25-12)
Egypt 3-0 Botswana (25-21, 25-13, 25-17)
Kenya 3-0 Tunisia (25-20, 25-17, 25-23)
FRIDAY: Egypt 3-0 Uganda (25-12, 25-18, 25-19)
Algeria 3-0 Botswana (25-22, 25-22, 25-10)
Cameroon3-2 Tunisia (25-20, 25-20, 29-31, 21-25, 15-6)
