Kenya’s Malkia Strikers stormed into the Round of 16 of the 2026 CAVB Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship with a perfect Pool A campaign, sweeping Mali 3-0 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena on Thursday.

The defending champions produced another dominant display, winning 25-17, 25-10 and 25-18 to finish top of Pool A without dropping a single set.

Kenya had earlier opened their title defence with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Zambia, winning 25-14, 25-9 and 25-11. Their latest victory over Mali confirmed their position as Pool A winners and secured the prime seeding heading into the knockout stage.

Zambia finished second in the pool after recovering from their opening defeat to Kenya with a 3-1 victory over Mali.

Elsewhere, Egypt maintained their perfect run in Pool B with a commanding 3-0 victory over Uganda at Kasarani. The Egyptians won 25-14, 25-9 and 25-16 to finish the pool stage unbeaten and without conceding a set.

Uganda suffered their first defeat of the championship after previously recording straight-sets victories over Senegal and Burkina Faso. Senegal, meanwhile, secured their first win by defeating Burkina Faso 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-20).

Cameroon also completed a flawless Pool C campaign, defeating Nigeria 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-16) for their third consecutive victory. The result saw Cameroon finish top of the group with nine points and without dropping a set.

Ghana produced one of the day’s most entertaining results, edging Tunisia 3-2 in a five-set thriller. Tunisia took the opening set 25-20 before Ghana fought back to win 25-18 and 27-25. Tunisia levelled with a 25-18 fourth-set victory, but Ghana held their nerve to win the decider 15-12.

Rwanda were equally impressive in Pool D, completing a third consecutive straight-sets victory with a 3-0 demolition of Burundi. Rwanda won 25-6, 25-11 and 25-13 to finish top of the group with nine points and an unblemished set record.

Algeria secured second place in Pool D after beating DR Congo 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-10).

The group stage has produced dominant performances from Kenya, Egypt, Cameroon and Rwanda, all of whom finished unbeaten and now head into the Round of 16 as pool winners.

CAVB African Nations Championship- Day 3 Full Results:

•Uganda 0–3 Egypt (14-25, 9-25, 16-25)

•Burundi 0–3 Rwanda (6-25, 11-25, 13-25)

•Burkina Faso 0–3 Senegal (17-25,14-25, 20-25)

•Algeria 3–0 DR Congo (25-12, 25-16, 25-10)

•Nigeria 0–3 Cameroon (20-25, 15-25, 16-25)

•Ghana 3–2 Tunisia (20-25, 25-18, 27-25, 18-25,15-12)

•Kenya 3–0 Mali (25-17, 25-10, 25-18)

The championship takes a rest day on Friday before action resumes on Saturday with the knockout phase, where the pressure will increase significantly as teams battle for places in the quarter-finals and ultimately the African crown.

For Kenya, the mission remains unchanged: retain the continental title on home soil and claim Africa’s sole qualification place for the women’s volleyball competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The top three eligible finishers will also earn places at the 2027 FIVB Volleyball World Championship, adding further significance to the knockout battle in Nairobi.