The Malkia Strikers will begin their quest to retain the African women’s volleyball crown on home soil when the 2026 CAVB Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship gets underway in Nairobi this weekend, with the continental title carrying an even bigger reward ,a direct ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Kenyan Queens enters the championship as defending champions after claiming their 10th African title in 2023 in Yaounde, Cameroon. This time, however, the stakes are higher, with the tournament also serving as part of the qualification pathway for the 2027 FIVB Volleyball World Championship.

The 14-day championship, scheduled for August 23 to September 5 ,2026, will bring together 16 of Africa’s leading women’s volleyball nations, with matches set to be staged at the Kasarani Indoor Arena and Ulinzi Complex in Lang’ata Nairobi.

According to Malkia Strikers captain Meldina Sande, the ultimate target is clear , getting the sole African Olympic qualification slot.

“This event is a pathway to the Olympic Games. As much as we are determined to be the winner of the sole African ticket to the Games, we are aware of the competition Egypt and Cameroon will offer, and we are preparing well to ensure we carry the day,” said Sande, who plies her trade with National Police Rwanda.

Sande, however, warned against overlooking the rest of the field, insisting Kenya will approach every opponent with the respect they deserve.

“We will not underrate other nations which will be part of this competition. We will approach them with the respect they deserve, but our end goal is that sole ticket and Olympics,” she added, while calling on Kenyan fans to fill the stands and rally behind the team.

Egypt and Cameroon are expected to provide some of Kenya’s toughest tests, but the tournament also features Algeria, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Zambia.

Kenya head coach Geoffrey Omondi believes his side has the quality and youthful energy to make a strong challenge for the title. The coach, who also guides Kenya Pipeline, says preparations have focused on addressing areas that could determine the team’s performance when the competition begins.

“We have young and promising players that have shown the eagerness to learn and to perform well. We are optimistic of a better ending. We are working on ball control and we hope to stage friendly matches to see our grey areas,” Omondi said.

The coach has now trimmed his provisional squad to 14 players. Emmaculate Nekesa and Esther Mutinda will provide the setting options, while Merlin Terry and Mercy Iminza have been selected as opposite hitters.

Gladys Ekaru, Belinda Barasa, Marian Sokoiyo and Lorine Chebet form the middle-blocking options, with Sande joined among the outside hitters by Veronicah Adhiambo, Milka Akinyi and Daisy Letting. Josphine Kataa and Sharon Arusei will serve as the two liberos.

Omondi will work alongside assistants David Muthui Kinga and Patrick Sang’, with Brackcides Agala serving as statistician, Conceptor Bala as physiotherapist and Neddy Kilimo as team manager. While Paul Bitok will head the Kenyan delegation.

The championship also represents an important moment for Kenya as a host. Kenya Volleyball Federation president Charles Nyaberi said the return of the continental showpiece to Nairobi after 11 years demonstrates the country’s growing readiness to stage major international volleyball events.

“It’s not like we don’t want to host international events. It’s because we don’t have standardized facilities. The only facility we have is the Kasarani Indoor Arena. For a country to host an international event, it has to have at least two standardized facilities,” Nyaberi said.

He added that FIVB president Fabio Azevedo and his four vice-presidents are expected to attend the championship, while a dedicated Malkia village will also be established.

The tournament will have consequences beyond the African title. The champion will claim Africa’s quota place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, while the top three eligible finishers will qualify for the 2027 FIVB Volleyball World Championship.