Volleyball: Kenya strike Cameroon to pick first win at World Championship

Malkia Strikers setter Emmaculate Nekesa sets up Lorraine Chebet Kaei for an attack against Netherlands on September 23, 2022. [Courtesy]

Kenya's Malkia Strikers on Tuesday evening won their first match at the FIVB World Championships in the Netherlands after thrashing rivals Cameroon 3-0 in straight sets.

In what was their first meeting between these two sides this year, Malkia Strikers saw off the African champions 25-20, 27-25, 25-19.

The win was an act of sweet revenge for Kenya who lost during their last meeting in September at the 2021 Africa Nations Championships in Rwanda, where Cameroon beat Kenya 3-1 in the final to claim their third consecutive title.

Both sides headed into the without a point after two consecutive 3-0 losses.

Kenya have lost to Netherlands and Belgium, while Cameroon have gone down to Italy and the hosts Netherlands.

African volleyball has been dominated by the two sides, both having represented the continent in the 2018 World Championship and the last two Olympics. \

Their rivalry has stretched out in the gold medal match of the last five continental tournaments, with Cameroon winning the African Championship in 2017, 2019 and 2021 and Kenya triumphing at the African Games in 2015 and 2019.