Malkia Strikers, not only failed to defend their CAVB Women's African Nations Volleyball Championship title but also, missed direct qualification to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics games after losing 3-0 to Egypt in the final match played on Friday, 4 September at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.Kenya qualified to the finals after sweeping past Cameroon 3-0 in a semi final match played on Thursday, 3 September.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe Cleopatras, on the other hand, demolished Rwanda, by similar margin,setting up a date with the Kenyan girls. The match was evenly balanced in the first set, with both teams exchanging leads before Egypt took control. Realising the swelling gap between them and Egypt, Malkia Strikers coach Geoffrey Omondi called for a technical time out in a bid to strategise. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9936871##Omondi introduced Mercy Iminza for Terry Tata by the time Egypt were leading with 20 points. However, the Egyptians proved to have the quality to maintain the lead at 23-20 before cruising to bag the first set by 25-22.In the second set, Egypt picked from where they left, bagging the first point and setting the stage for a thrilling battle.The North African side maintained a three-point lead and would widen the rift between them and the massively supported home team. Omondi would then turn to Esther Mutinda for Emmaculate Nekesa for setting duties but the change had little effect, as The Cleopatras continued to widen the gap forcing Omondi to call for another time-outTwo-month wait ends as World Athletics ratifies wanyonyi’s 1,000m recordThe tactician would later introduce captain Meldinah Sande and Iminza for Tata and Veronica Oluoch.By the time Egypt reached the 20-point mark, Malkia Strikers were lagging behind at 13 ,with the Cleopatras claiming the second set with a 25-15.The Egyptians began the third set with a 4-0 lead but Malkia Strikers rallied to draw at the fifth-point mark.However, Egypt quickly opened a three-point gap before widening the gap to eight point.The visitors would claim 25-15 win. History as Kenya is set to field more female than male athletes at Youth Olympic GamesIn the third place playoff match played earlier, Cameroon claimed bronze following a 3-0( 25-17, 25-16 and 25-19) .Egypt will now represent Africa at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. They will also be joined by Kenya and Cameroon in the 2027 FIVB World Cup.
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