History beckons for Africa volleyball queens Malkia Strikers

Cameroon are out of the way, silenced effectively, and only Egypt stand in the way of Malkia Strikers and history tonight.

After losing the last three finals to this year's hosts of the CAVB African Nations Championship, Cameroon, the African volleyball Queens are out to end the losing streak as they face a highly tactical Egypt in the final slated for 6pm (8 pm EAT) at the Palais Polyvalent des Sports arena.

Malkia Strikers humble Cameroon to storm final

Both teams have kept a clean slate, winning all their matches in the lead up to the final. Kenya saw off Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Uganda and Lesotho in straight-sets, dropping a set against Morocco in the only dent in the group stage. 

In the quarters, Kenya saw off Nigeria in another straight-sets performance to book a semis clash with the home time, a repeat of the last three editions' finals. 

Kenya came from behind to silence the home team 3-1 ( 25-27, 25-14, 25-11 and 25-18 ) in the semis to book a final berth against Egypt. 

The North Africans, on their part, had a similar run to Kenya's, beating Algeria, Mali, Nigeria Burundi by straight-sets but lost a set in a 3-1 victory against hosts Cameroon. 

They easily dispensed Uganda by straight sets in the quarters before seeing of another East African country Rwanda by a similar score in the semis to reach the final. 

"We are prepared for Egypt. We know they are a strong side and very tactical in their approach but we have studied their game and have a game plan.

We have to be very clinical in our attack and also make sure reception is at its best since their services are good and their defense is also one of the best," assistant coach Paul Bitok said after Malkia's win in the semis. 

The last time Kenya faced the North Africans was in January 2020 here in Yaounde in the opening fixture of the Tokyo Olympics qualifiers, a match that the East Africans won 3-1. 

Before then the two sides had met in the semis of the CAVB African Nations Championship. Malkia Strikers came from a set down to beat their longtime rivals 3-1 to light up their Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualification campaign then.

The game serves off at 8PM EAT.