African Games: Malkia Strikers begin title defense against Seychelles
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 12.03.24. | 09:34
Kenya won the last two editions of the Games held in 2015 and 2019 and are looking to make it 3 in a row
The stage is set!
The national women's volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, serve off their quest to defend the African Games title against Seychelles at noon local time (3:00 pm EAT)
The Japheth Munala-coaches African champions landed in Pool B during the draw conducted on Monday, March 11 evening.
Game On: Kenya's Malkia Strikers Begin Their Title DefensE
— Kenya Volleyball Federation (@KenyaVolley) March 12, 2024
The stage is set. Kenya's Malkia Strikers serve off their quest to defend their African Games Women's Volleyball title against Seychelles at 12:00pm local time in Ghana (3:00pm Kenyan time). Let the games begin ... pic.twitter.com/MP5dYfOMOL
They go up against the Seychelles, Nigeria, Congo DR, and Algeria, while Pool A is headlined by Zone 5 champions Egypt, with Ghana, Gambia, and Tunisia completing the group.
Munala's quest for glory has been boosted by the arrival of Kenyan international outside hitter Veronica Adhiambo who is reported to have landed in Ghana a day before the side's first match.
Flying in from Greece, Adhiambo had time to train with her teammates on Monday ahead of Tuesday's opener.
Adhiambo missed out on the qualifiers held in Egypt earlier in the year. In her absence, alongside the hard-hitting African MVP Sharon Chepchumba, Malkia Strikers fell to Egypt twice in the two-team qualifiers.
Her presence is set to boost Malkia's chances, as she comes loaded with experience and an indefatigable fighting spirit, which was displayed when Kenya reclaimed the African Championship title in Cameroon last year, a feat that qualified the team for the Paris Olympics.
Pool A:
Ghana
Egypt
Gambia
Tunisia
Pool B:
Kenya
Algeria
Nigeria
Seychelles
Congo RDC
Quarterfinals:
Match 1: 1st A vs. 4th B
Match 2: 2nd B vs. 3rd A
Match 3: 1st B vs. 4th A
Match 4: 2nd A vs. 3rd B
Semifinals:
Semifinal 1: Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2
Semifinal 2: Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4
Final:
Winner Semifinal 1 vs. Winner Semifinal 2
