Kenya, queens of Africa! Hosts make light work of Algeria for ninth Africa volleyball title

Africa cup of nation volleyball - Kenya vs Algeria.
Kenya's volleyball team applauds their fans after defeating Algeria 3-0 during Africa Cup of Nation at Kasarani Gymnasium on June 14, 2015.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO
 

 

Prisons Kenya left attacker Evelyn Makuto was named the Most Valuable Player at the 17th edition of the African Nations Cup Championship as Malkia Strikers successfully retained the continental after beating Algeria in straight sets of 25-17,25-21,25-20 in a thrilling final, at a fully packed Kasarani Gymnasium, on Saturday.

"This is unbelievable. It is my first ever MVP award and I thank God and all my fans for that. It is a motivation as we prepare for Grand Prix and World Cup," Makuto told Feverpitch after picking up the award.

The victory saw nine time champions finish the competition without conceding a set and earn the World Cup finals ticket slated for October 2015  in Japan together with the finalists.

Kenya's libero player Elizabeth Wanyama (right) and teammate Mercy Moim celebrate a point against Algeria at Safaricom Kasarani Gymnasium, yesterday. [PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

"I feel great to have won the title three time in a row. I didn't expect to finish the match in straight sets against a team like  Algeria," said coach David Lung'aho.

Apart from Makuto, Jane Wacu, Ruth Jepngetich and Elizabeth Wanyama  were named best setter, blocker and libero respectively  with Algeria's Lydia Oulmou and Senegalese Fatou Diouck alsi winning the best server and attacks respectively during the championship.

Kenya started the brighter side in the first set with the quartet of hard hitting  Makuto, Wacu, Mercy Moim and captain Brackcides Agala giving the Algerians a run for their money.

After leading all the three technical time outs, the African queens eventually bagged the first set 25-17 thanks to powerful spikes from Makuto and Moim and Jepngetich's blocks.

The Algerians were aggressive in the second set leading till Kenya equalized at 10-10 and that's when  Lung'aho brought  in middle blocker Jepngetich for Wanyama and regained the lead 14-12. Superb spikes from Makuto and Wangeci took the lead to 16-12. Both teams exchanged the leads before the home girls produced a master class performance to bag the second set 25-21.

However, the 2009 Champions showed a very good pace at the start of the third set with captain Fatma Oukazi and  Oulmou inspiring them to a 9-4 lead, but the eight time champions completed an amazing comeback after experienced setter Janet Wanja came in for Wacu. With the support of their fans, the home girls produced a master class performance to end the competition without dropping a set.

Cameroon clinched the bronze medal after stunning Senegal 3-2 (19-25,25-23,25-14,25-13, 17-15) in a thrilling five set third place play-offs.

Cameroon claimed the first set 19-25, but Thailand based opposite and captain Fatou Diouck inspired Senegal to win the second and third sets respectively. However, Cameroon rebounded strongly to claim the fourth (25-13) set and throw the game wide open before beating Senegal 17-15 in the final set.

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Awards

Best server- Lydia Oulmou, Algeria

Best setter-Wacu Janee

Best attacker-Fatou Diouck

Best blocker- Ruth Jepngetich

Libero-Elizabeth Wanyama

Best player Evelyn Makuto