'Junior' Malkia Strikers shock Cameroon

Edith Wisa Mukuvulani of Kenya celebrates during their Zone 5 All Africa Games Qualifiers Women Volleyball Championships match against Ethiopia at Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala on April 22, 2015. Kenya won 3-0. Photo/Stephen Mudiari/www.pic-centre.com. (UGANDA).

The team that was regarded as second string side upset the form book and won the gold medal as the All Africa Games women’s volleyball competition ended here on Monday evening.

Touted as the runaway favourites for the gold medal, Cameroon ended up in tears as ecstatic Kenyans, joined by tens of fans jammed the court dancing to isikuti songs after winning 3-1 in 25-15, 14-25, 15-25 and 19-25.

The last time Kenya won the gold at these games was in 1999 in South Africa.

“We trained together, ate together and slept together. We have won not because I am a good coach, but by the will of God,” coach Paul Gitau told reporters.

His Cameroonian counterpart, Akomo Jean Rene, was so distraught to talk to reporters. “I have no comment,” was all he said. Having lost to the Cameroonians in the second group stage match, Kenyans approached the match cautiously, but much credit goes to Leonida Kasaya, who scored 25 points in the match that took one hour 28 minutes.

Naomi Too also had a fair share of the points, ending up with 15 and Edith Wisa Mukuvilani had 12 points and blocked the highest, 19, followed by Kasaya with seven. Christelle Nana Tchoudjang gave Cameroon 11 points, followed by Theorine Mbeza Aboa with nine points.

“It is never easy for a team to win twice against the same side,” said Kenya Volleyball Federation chairman, Waithaka Kioni.

“We don’t have a second string side here. Due to the special circumstance that we found ourselves in, we selected two teams for the World Cup and the All Africa Games. The latter have won the cup. When we return home, we shall blend the team for various competitions, but this team should not be regarded as a second string side,” he said.

Kenya’s Ambassador to DR Congo, Republic of Congo, Gabon and Central Africa Republic, Dr George Masafu, Commissioner for Sport, Gordon Oluoch, who is also the Chef de Mission for Team Kenya, legislators and senators, who have been here since the Games started joined the ladies in a jig on the court after the match.