Malkia Strikers sweep Zambia aside to start African title defence in style

‎The Kenyan lasses barely broke a sweat as they made light work of their opponents in straight sets, making their intentions clear in the race for a record-extending 11th continental title on home soil.

‎​The 10-time African champions displayed relentless dominance from the first serve, dismantling the Zambians in straight sets of 25-14, 25-9, and 25-11.

‎The winner of the 15-team championship will grab the sole 2028 Los Angeles Olympics ticket reserved for Africa and the 2027 FIVB World Championship.

‎​Day one action was split between the Kasarani Indoor Arena and the Ulinzi Sports Complex in, producing decisive victories across seven fixtures.‎

‎​In Group B action at the Kasarani Arena, Uganda made a strong statement by dismantling Senegal 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-16) to claim early control.

‎Continental powerhouses and 2023 runner up Egypt showed no mercy, delivering the most dominant set performance of the day in a 3-0 (25-3, 25-15, 25-15) sweep of Burkina Faso, while former champions Cameroon secured a similar 3-0 win over Ghana (25-16, 25-20, 25-14).

‎​Over at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, DRC Congo opened the tournament with a 3-0 victory over Burundi (25-16, 25-17, 25-16) while Rwanda held off Algeria in straight sets (25-22, 25-20, 25-16),

‎‎Meanwhile, Tunisia recovered from a set down to seal the day’s only four-setter, beating Nigeria 3-1 (18-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-20).

Malkia Strikers will return to action against Mali in their final Pool A clash, where a victory will officially seal top spot in the group following Morocco’s absence from the competition.‎

‎With a quarter-final berth already locked up, another dominant performance will secure Kenya the prime seed heading into the knockout rounds.

‎​CAVB African Nations Championship - Day 1 Full Results‎​

‎Kenya 3–0 Zambia (25-14, 25-9, 25-11)

‎​Uganda 3–0 Senegal (25-21, 25-15, 25-16)

‎​Egypt 3–00 Burkina Faso (25-3, 25-15, 25-15)

‎​Cameroon 3–0 Ghana (25-16, 25-20, 25-14)

‎​DR Congo 3–0 Burundi (25-16, 25-17, 25-16)

‎​Rwanda 3–0 Algeria (25-22, 25-20, 25-16)

‎​Tunisia 3–1 Nigeria (18-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-20)