Kenya's Beach Volleyball team on the verge of Olympic history

National women's beach volleyball team composed of Gaudencia Makokha, Brackcides Agala, Yvonne Wavinya and Phoscah Kasisi are one step away from booking a slot in the Tokyo Olympics. 

The team, currently in Morocco where the second and final qualification round for the Summer Games is ongoing have booked a place in the final set for Sunday, 27 June after seeing off hosts 2-1 in a decider match.

Team Kenya's B team composed of Wavinya and Kasisi fell 2-0 (21-14, 21-12) to Morocco's first team to set up Makokha and Agala for a must-win encounter against Morocco's second team. 

The duo, under immense pressure faltered in the first set losing 21-12 to give Morocco a huge advantage. Coach Sammy Mulinge's pep talk and the team's desire to join their indoor volleyball counterparts in Tokyo, however, saw Makokha and Agala fight for an incredible comeback as they won the second set 21-18 and made easy work of their opponent in the decider set winning 15-8. 

Mulinge elected to use the first team for the golden( decider) match and the pair delivered as they beat Morocco's first team 2-1 in a tightly contested match. 

Kenya won the first set 21-19 before the hosts played an excellent second set to level matters on 21-16 and force the match into a decider set. Kenya held their own against the hard-fighting Morrocans for the win. 

"After being out of action for the period that we have been and still give such a performance on this stage is incredibly special. We are keen to finish what we started so we will remain level headed in the final and work towards clinching that ticket," said Agala

Makokha thanked CAVB chairperson Bouchra Hajij for ensuring teams had a second chance at qualification as events that led to teams missing the qualifiers last year were beyond the nations and the players too. 

"We wouldn't be here and at this stage if Bouchra didn't push for an equal playing ground after the second qualifiers were cancelled due to Covid-19. We will give our best in final and pray my dreams of representing the country at the Olympics, comes true," said Makokha.

The men's team was eliminated in the quarters