The Women’s Volleyball Africa Championship has moved into the knockout stage with qualifying teams set for matches on Saturday, August 29.
In the tournament, defending champions Kenya will face Nigeria in the headline Round of 16 clash at Kasarani Indoor Arena.
Malkia Strikers entered the knockout stage after topping Pool A with six points from two matches, where the team emerged as winners over Zambia and Mali without dropping a set.
Nigeria also secured its position in the Round of 16 after a mixed group-stage campaign that included a defeat to Tunisia, a win over Ghana, and a loss to Cameroon.
The first knockout match will feature Uganda vs. the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 1:00 p.m., followed by Algeria vs. Senegal at 4:00 p.m.
Kenya vs Nigeria will conclude the Round of 16 matches scheduled for August 29.
Kenya vs Nigeria
Following wins from both teams, the West Africans will face the defending champions for a place in the quarter-finals.
Malkia Strikers will take on Nigeria at 7:00 p.m. EAT in an attempt to retain the African title it won in 2023 and secure its 11th continental crown.
According to the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the tournament champion will earn Africa’s direct women’s volleyball qualification place for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The seven Round-of-16 winners will also join Cameroon in the quarterfinals after the Central African side secured a direct place in the last eight following a perfect group-stage campaign.
Additionally, the top three finishers will qualify for the 2027 FIVB Volleyball World Cup.
“The champions will secure direct qualification for the LA28 Olympic Games, while the top three finishers will earn places at the 2027 FIVB Volleyball World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States and Canada,” FIVB stated.
Round of 16 Fixtures, Kick-off Time, Dates, and Venue
| Date | Time (EAT) | Fixture | Venue |
| Saturday, Aug. 29 | 1:00 p.m. | Uganda vs Democratic Republic of the Congo | Kasarani Indoor Arena |
| 4:00 p.m. | Algeria vs Senegal | Kasarani Indoor Arena | |
| 7:00 p.m. | Kenya vs Nigeria | Kasarani Indoor Arena | |
| Sunday, Aug. 30 | 10:00 a.m. | Rwanda vs Burkina Faso | Kasarani Indoor Arena |
| 1:00 p.m. | Zambia vs Ghana | Kasarani Indoor Arena | |
| 4:00 p.m. | Egypt vs Burundi | Kasarani Indoor Arena | |
| 7:00 p.m. | Tunisia vs Mali | Kasarani Indoor Arena |
Malkia Strikers Squad
Head coach Geoffrey Omondi named a 14-player squad for Kenya’s title defense, selecting two setters, two opposite hitters, four middle blockers, four outside hitters, and two liberos.
Emmaculate Nekesa and Esther Mutinda are the setters, while Merlin Terry and Mercy Iminza are the opposite hitters.
The middle-blocking options are Gladys Ekaru, Belinda Barasa, Marian Sokoiyo, and Lorine Chebet.
Veronicah Adhiambo, Milka Akinyi, Meldina Sande and Daisy Letting make up the outside hitters, with Josphine Kataa and Sharon Arusei completing the squad as liberos.
However, Coach Omondi has clarified that he does not have a fixed starting six and that selection will depend on the opponent and the circumstances of each match.
During the matches, the coach will be assisted by David Muthui Kinga and Patrick Sang’, with Brackcides Agala serving as statistician, Conceptor Bala as physiotherapist, and Neddy Kilimo as team manager, while Paul Bitok serves as the head of the delegation.
How to Watch Kenya vs Nigeria
Fans can watch the championship through CAVB Africa’s online coverage which the tournament’s viewing information provides access to live results.
Through the CAVB Africa online coverage, fans can track scores and match progress when they cannot watch the livestream.
For the Kenya Vs Nigeria match, viewers should visit the CAVB Africa YouTube channel shortly before the scheduled 7:00 p.m. EAT start to view the live broadcast.
Alternatively, supporters can visit the arena, which, according to the Kenya Volleyball Federation, has free entry.
Group Results
Kenya, Egypt, Cameroon, and Rwanda emerged as the top winners in their group. In Pool A, Malkia Strikers finished with 6 points, two wins and no sets conceded, ahead of Zambia (3 pts) and Mali (0 pts).
In Pool B, Egypt recorded three wins, 9 points, and nine sets won without losing, dominating Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Uganda.
Uganda finished second in Pool B with 6 points, ahead of Senegal (3 pts) and Burkina Faso (0 pts).
In Pool C, Cameroon finished with a perfect record of 3 wins, 9 points, and 9 sets won and none lost.
The Cameroonians are ahead of Tunisia (4 pts), Ghana (3 pts), and Nigeria (2 pts).
In Pool D, Rwanda had three wins, 9 points, and no sets lost.
Algeria emerged second with 6 points, ahead of DR Congo (3 pts) and Burundi (0 pts).
Kenyan Team Players Statistics
| No. | Player | Matches | Stat 1 | Stat 2 | Stat 3 | Total |
| — | Masai | 15 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 92 |
| 27 | Milka | 13 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 136 |
| 24 | Tata | 11 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 116 |
| 2 | Adhiambo | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 94 |
| 10 | Jepkorir | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 135 |
| 6 | Belinda | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 57 |
| 15 | Lorine | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 71 |
| 4 | Likhayo | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 113 |
| 12 | Ekaru | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 59 |
| 1 | Mutinda | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 121 |
| 14 | Sande | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 93 |
| 7 | Emma | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 108 |
| 8 | KILATYA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 81 |
| 16 | Sharon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 98 |
Follow our and X Account for real-time news updates.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.