How well-oiled Egypt locked Kenya out of 2028 Olympics
National women's volleyball team, Malkia Strikers players during their match against Egypt at the 2026 African Volleyball Confederation Women's Africa Volleyball Championship on September 4, 2026, at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Indoor Arena.
Egypt’s tactical superiority was in full display on Friday night, the North African team capitalising on strong serves, solid reception and lethal attacks to silence home team Kenya at a jam-packed Kasarani Indoor Arena in three straight sets to emerge winners of Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship.
Egypt proved too quick and tactical for Kenya to handle, and it told in the manner they dismissed Kenya’s Malkia Strikers in 3 - 0 sets of 25-22, 25-15, and 25-15 to dethrone the hosts in the championship and grab the sole ticket reserved for Africa at the 2028 Olympic Games.
Though graceful in defeat, Malkia Strikers were inconsolable after failing to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games. Coach Geoffrey Omondi blamed it on poor defence.
“Our back court defence crumbled. We trained for speed game but we failed to apply it well in game situation. Egypt played a fast game, served well and their setters were quick, and we failed to match their speed,” coach Omondi said afterwards.
“Our reception on the front court was fine, but we have not done enough to execute our attacks from the middle in this tournament, so we opted to attack from the flacks,” said Omondi.
He regretted that his young team did not get adequate preparation for the tournament, adding that exposure to quality matches against teams ranked higher could have helped Kenya prepare better.
CAVB President Bouchra Hajij (left) presents the trophy to the Egypt women's captain during the 2026 African Volleyball Confederation Women's Africa Volleyball Championship on September 4, 2026 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Indoor Arena.
“Most team play a fast game and our players need to get used to this. This is something that comes through exposure. We also need time for training and drills, besides incorporating technology in our training sessions,” said Omondi. Kenya went into the championship without playing build-up matches. Egypt and Cameroon trained for the tournament in Europe. Omondi wants Kenya Volleyball Federation to facilitate the team to prepare well for 2027 FIVB Women’s World Cup that will be co-hosted by the United States of America and Canada.
The tournament’s best outside hitters, Nada Ahmed Houssameldein and Mariam Metwally Mohamed Morsy, and setter Abdelghany Doaa who are all from Egypt, proved too hot for Malkia Strikers defence. The three players stood out in Egypt’s run to the Olympic Games for the first time.
The Egyptians were composed in their reception, attack and defence, disposing of record champions Kenya in 3-0 straight set of 25-22, 25-15, and 25-15 before a partisan at a packed Kasarani Indoor Arena on Friday evening.
National women's volleyball team Malkia Strikers players take the first runner-up position during the 2026 African Volleyball Confederation Women's Africa Volleyball Championship on September 4, 2026 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Indoor Arena.
The tournament’s best libero, Essa Nada from Egypt, easily contained Kenya’s key attacker Malyne Terry Tata in the match, helping the north Africans to complete the championship without losing a set in seven matches. Egypt won the inaugural 1976 championship, and won the title again in 1989 and in 2003.
It was a sweet revenge for the Egyptians because its Malkia Strikers who beat them in the final of the 2023 tournament in Yaoundé, Cameroon, locking them out of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Coach Omondi’s preference for outside attacks fell short as the Egyptians easily contained them, even as Kenya’s Greek-based outside attacker, Veronica Adhiambo Oluoch and middle blocker Elizabeth Marian Sokoiyo tried to dig deep.
Although Malkia Strikers failed to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games, the team qualified for the FIVB Women’s World Cup for the sixth time. Kenya qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games held in Tokyo, and the 2024 Olympic Games held in Paris.
Coach Omondi took positives from the match, saying his young team that has an average of 23 years learnt key lessons. Sokoiyo was named the tournament’s best blocker, Tata was the best opposite player, while Milka Akinyi emerged the best outside hitter.
“Rebuilding a team takes time. It can be made easier with supportive structures,” Omondi, who had nine new players at the championship, said.
Skipper Meldina Sande said Egypt was a better side
“We didn’t expect the game to go this way. Egypt got their basics right in serving, reception and in attack, and it worked for them,” said Sande.
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