Malkia Strikers thrash Cameroon to set up Algeria final showdown
National women's volleyball team skipper Brackcides Agala celebrates after their 3-0 win over Botswana during the Africa Cup of Nations Championships match on June 15, 2015 at Safaricom Indoor Arena. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
The David Lung'aho-coached Malkia Strikers shook off a sloppy start to see-off the stubborn Cameroonians 25-22 in an explosive opening set before dominating the second set 25-14, and holding off the visitor's late charge in the final set to win 25-22 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.
Kenya on Wednesday stormed the final of the Women’s Volleyball Africa Nations Championships after securing a straight sets triumph over a hard-working Cameroon in an entertaining semi-final contest at the Safaricom Indoor Arena.
The African Queens won 25-22, 25-14, 25-22 to secure a rematch against Algeria in the final after the north Africans defeated Senegal 25-17, 25-14, 25-22 in the other last four contest.
Kenya Prisons duo Brackcides Agala and Jane Wacu led the battle for a determined home side against a fired-up opponent, albeit with able back up from Mercy Moim, Elizabeth Wanyama and Everlyne Makuto.
With David Lung’aho barking instructions from the touchline and hundreds of partisan fans on stands cheering on there was only likely to be one winner; the hosts.
“We lost this battle in the opening set by making errors against the best team of the continent,” Cameroon coach Jean Akono Rene offered.
Rene’s team had led 8-5 and then 18-15 in the opening set, thanks to impressive attacks from Helen Mbenga and Juliana Amala.
It required a tactical switch by Lung’aho to bring in service specialist, Kenya Pipeline’s Janet Wanja to keep Kenya’s record of not conceding a set in four games of this tournament intact.
Cameroon then dropped off both physically and mentally in the subsequent sets allowing the likes of reserves Ruth Jepng’etich and Esther Wangeci to come on and run the show.
“The team has exhibited great character in today’s match which was in my opinion the toughest of the competition,” Wanja said afterwards.
BOASTED EIGHT SPIKES
In the other semi-final Algeria’s Abrouche, 23, boasted eight spikes and a block enroute to demolishing the Senegalese, who failed to recover from a heavy nine-point deficit in the second set.
“Kenya is a difficult question to answer right now, but we hope for the best against them on Saturday,” Abrouche offered.
This result assured Algeria of a second successive final after their exploits in 2011 and 2014. They will be chasing their second continental title.
