Kenya women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, launched their title defence with a deserved win against Zambia 3-0(25-14,25-9,25-11) as the 2026 CAVB Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship got underway at Kasarani indoor arena in Nairobi on Tuesday night.
Kenya will have a rest day on Wednesday before they return to action with a tie against Mali on Thursday. The electrifying volleyball match under the lights was officially opened by the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Sports Elijah Mwangi.
Kenya head coach Geoffrey Omondi fielded Marian Sokoiyo and Lorine Chebet in the middle blocking department, with Esther Mutinda starting as the setter, Daisy Leting and fast-rising Milka Akinyi manned the outside hitting department as Mercy Iminza and Josephine Kataa took charge of opposite and libero positions.
Kenya who enjoyed every spike, serve, reception and block were first off the block taking a commanding 1-7 lead as Zambia offered little resistance.
Poor services and feeble attacks were Zambia’s undoing as Kenya capitalized on that to extend the lead 16-8 before they took the set 25-14.
Kenya picked from where they left in the second set leading 10-1 before Coach Omondi rested the five players to bring in fresh legs in setter Emmaculate Nekesa, Veronica Adhiambo, captain Meldina Sande, Gladys Ekaru, Marlene Tata, and libero Sharon “Shakokhala” Arusei.
Boosted by partisan fans, the Kenyans scored at will with their explosive attacks and their good serves as they extended the lead 16-3, 21- 5 before bagging the second set 25-9.
In the third set, middle blocker Belinda Barasa came in for Sokoiyo as the unstoppable Malkia Strikers continued with their onslaught again leading 7-3, 14-5, 20-10 before sealing the set with 25-11 win.
Speaking after the match, coach Omondi said he gave every player an opportunity to play to put them in the competition mode.
“We are happy we have begun the event with a win despite not having a competitive clash. But we want to build on the win as we plan to play Mali in the remaining match. We call on the fans to turn up in large numbers to support us since they are the seventh player. We are aware of the magnitude of this event and therefore, we are putting our best foot forward to ensure we carry the day,” said Omondi.
Malkia Strikers captain Meldina Sande echoed coach Omondi’s sentiments in giving a rallying call to the fans to turn up in large numbers in their next match against Mali.
“We have been preparing well for this championship and came with full energy to win the match. I would like to reiterate my call to fans to come and fill the arena in our support. We appreciate the fans that showed up today and gave us morale in every moment of the game.”
Zambia head coach Arnold Simulezi said that her girls went to bed with a myriad of lessons considering that they were playing against the hosts and the defending champions. He hopes that the team can do better in reception and blocks in their next outing against Mali in Group A.
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