Kenyan women volleyballers breeze to Africa title

Kenyan women’s football team (file)

Nairobi, June 22 (IANS) The Kenyan women's national volleyball team clinched their ninth African Nations Championships title and the third in a row after silencing fierce rivals Algeria 3-0.

A packed Nairobi's Kasarani Gymnasium went into raptures after the home girls settled the thrilling final 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 to qualify them for September's World Cup in Japan, reported Xinhua.

Thus, the host known as Malkia (queens) strikers, completed the entire tournament without dropping a single set in another resounding display of their continental dominance.

Kenya has now won nine of their 10 finals and will depart on Tuesday for the World Grand Priz buoyed by the resounding performance before competing at the August African Games.

"Algeria pushed us to the line, but the tactical substitution of Janet Wanja made us recover the set that we were almost losing. Hard work plus motivation from the fans saw us through. We hope to do well in the Grand Prix against the best in the world," Kenya head coach David Lung' aho said.

"We have good players in Algeria who could not come since they are in school. The team has young players with a good future and our performance here is good for Olympics qualification," Algeria's Francois Slvagni said.

The home girls dominated the awards roster with Ruth Jepng' etich (Best Attacker) and Elizabeth Wanyama (Best Libero) receiving recognition.

Leading by two sets to love, it took the introduction of veteran setter, Janet Wanja, to take the hosts across the line in the third set they were trailing by six points as Algeria threatened a stirring comeback.

Cameroon beat Senegal 3-2 to settle for bronze.