Kenya’s Malkia Strikers are one victory away from retaining their African volleyball crown and securing a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, after President William Ruto praised the team for reaching the final with a dominant win over Cameroon.
The defending champions booked their place in the final with a 3-0 victory over the Indomitable Lionesses at Kasarani Indoor Arena on Thursday, September 3. Kenya won the three sets 25-19, 25-20 and 25-20 to maintain its strong run in the tournament.
In a message on Friday, Ruto congratulated the players, saying their performance had given Kenyans another reason to be proud.
“We are proud of the outstanding performance of our Malkia Strikers at the 2026 Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship. The commanding 3-0 victory over Cameroon, that secured a place in the final, was a proud moment for our country,” he said.
The President said the team had once again shown the winning attitude associated with its long record of success on the continent.
“As the defending African champions, you have once again shown the winning spirit that has come to define Malkia Strikers.”
Kenya will meet Egypt in the final at Kasarani Indoor Arena on Friday, September 4, with the match scheduled for 18:00 local time.
The encounter will bring back memories of the 2023 African championship final, when Kenya beat Egypt in straight sets in Yaoundé to lift the continental trophy.
This time, however, the final carries an additional reward. Besides deciding the African champion, the winner will earn Africa’s direct qualification place for the women’s volleyball tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Both Kenya and Egypt have already booked places at the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup after reaching the final. Africa has three qualification places for the World Cup.
The 2026 championship started in Nairobi on August 25, with matches being played at Kasarani Indoor Arena and the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Sixteen African national teams entered the competition, which is serving both as a battle for continental supremacy and as part of the qualification route for the Olympics and World Cup.
Malkia Strikers have been in impressive form throughout the tournament.
Kenya began its campaign with straight-set wins over Zambia on August 25 and Mali on August 27, finishing top of Pool A without losing a set.
The team then swept Nigeria 3-0 in the round of 16 before beating Algeria 3-1 in the quarter-final.
The Algeria match was the first time Kenya dropped a set in the competition. The team quickly recovered, winning the next three sets before returning to straight-set form against Cameroon in the semi-final.
The latest victory has taken Kenya closer to an 11th African championship title. The Malkia Strikers are the record holders in the competition, having won 10 titles, including the 2023 crown.
Egypt secured the other final slot after beating Rwanda 3-0 in the second semi-final.
Egypt won 25-5, 25-17 and 32-30 to preserve its unbeaten record in Nairobi while also reaching the final without dropping a set.
Ruto urged the Kenyan players to finish the job and lift the continental trophy once again, assuring them of the country’s support.
“As you take this final step, know that the nation stands firmly behind you. All the best in the finals. Make Kenya proud,” he said.
Friday’s showdown will therefore offer Kenya more than another African title. A victory would give the Malkia Strikers their 11th continental crown while also securing a direct ticket to the 2028 Olympic Games.