Kenya handed lifeline after walkover win against Tanzania

The highly anticipated East African derby scheduled to take place at the ongoing CAVB Africa Nations Championship in Kigali, Rwanda between Kenya’s men national volleyball team, Wafalme Stars, and neighbouring Tanzania failed to produce the expected fireworks instead resulting in an anticlimax as the Tanzanian volleyball team failed to show up for the game due to failing to pay their participation fees according to reports.

After losing their second clash against Morocco on Thursday evening by three sets to one, Wafalme headed into the final group encounter precariously sitting in third place in Group D needing victory against Tanzania and praying for Egypt, who were second on the log, to lose their match against group leaders Morocco if they were to progress past the group stages.

Wafalme go down fighting in clash with Morocco

In an unexpected and the most unlikeliest turn of events, after going through their paces for close to an hour since the game’s planned 1300EAT kickoff time, the Gideon Tarus coached side got a straight sets victory (25-0, 25-0, 25-0) without even dropping a single bead of sweat as Tanzania were disqualified for failing to show up for the match. Kenya consequently awarded a 3-0 walkover.

Following the decision to award Kenya the win, Wafalme were handed a lifeline as they collected three points and jumped into second place which, if Egypt fail to win against Morocco, will be enough to advance the team past the groups and into the playoffs.

Kenya will now have to await the results of the match between Egypt and Morocco that is set to serve off at 2100EAT to know whether their journey in the continental championship comes to an end or whether they get to keep going in the tournament where finalists in the16-team competition book tickets to the World Championship.