Kenya’s women’s national volleyball team, the Malkia Strikers, staged an impressive comeback to defeat Algeria 3-1 and reach the semi-finals of the African Nations Volleyball Championship at the Kasarani Indoor Arena on Tuesday.
After dropping the opening set, the defending champions recovered to book a Thursday semi-final clash with former title holders Cameroon. Cameroon advanced comfortably with a 3-0 victory over Uganda, the sets finishing 25-18, 25-20 and 25-18.
Algeria struck first by claiming the opening set 25-21, handing Malkia Strikers their first set reverse of the tournament. Spurred on by the home support, the Kenyan side responded emphatically, taking the next three sets 25-7, 25-15 and 25-18.
In another quarter-final, Egypt controlled proceedings from the start, securing the first set 25-20 and following up with a 25-14 win in the second. They completed a dominant straight-sets triumph by claiming the third 25-9.
Rwanda also progressed to the semi-finals after overcoming Ghana 3-1, the sets reading 25-17, 24-26, 25-19 and 25-18.
For the Malkia Strikers, the comeback victory over Algeria keeps alive their hopes of defending the continental title on home soil.
Kenya will now turn its attention to Thursday’s semi-final against Cameroon, with the team hoping to use its experience and home support to secure a place in the final.
