Defending champions Kenya’s Malkia Strikers staged a superb comeback under the Kasarani floodlights on Tuesday night, overcoming Algeria 3-1 to book their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 CAVB Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship.
The hosts were given a stern test in the day’s final quarter-final, with Algeria taking advantage of a strong start to claim the opening set 25-21 and put Kenya on the back foot.
Kenya, however, responded in emphatic fashion.
The Malkia Strikers raised their intensity in the second set, taking control of the contest and leaving Algeria struggling to match their pace. The defending champions raced to a commanding 25-7 victory to level the match.
Kenya carried that momentum into the third set, where they continued to dominate both offensively and defensively. They secured the set 25-15 to move within one set of the semi-finals.
Algeria attempted to force the match into a decider in the fourth set, but Kenya remained composed and maintained their advantage. The hosts eventually closed out the set 25-18, completing a 3-1 comeback and keeping their title defence alive.
Kenya’s victory capped a strong quarter-final day that produced four different winners, with Egypt, Rwanda and Cameroon also advancing to the last four.
Three-time African champions Egypt were among the first teams to secure a semi-final berth after dispatching Tunisia 3-0.
Egypt dominated from the opening set, winning 25-20 before extending their advantage with a 25-14 victory in the second. They then produced their most convincing display in the third set, overwhelming Tunisia 25-9 to complete a straight-sets victory.
The Egyptians have been one of the tournament’s most consistent sides. They topped Pool B with a perfect record after defeating Uganda, Senegal and Burkina Faso, before maintaining their unbeaten run with a 3-0 victory over Burundi in the Round of 16.
Rwanda also progressed after defeating Ghana 3-1 in a closely contested quarter-final.
Rwanda took the opening set 25-17, but Ghana refused to surrender and fought back to edge the second 26-24. The Rwandans regained control in the third set, winning 25-19, before finishing the job with an 25-18 victory in the fourth.
Cameroon completed the semi-final line-up with a straight-sets victory over Uganda. The Cameroonians were in control throughout, winning 25-18, 25-20 and 25-18 to end Uganda’s campaign in the last eight.
With the quarter-finals now concluded, attention turns to Thursday’s semi-finals at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, where the four remaining teams will battle for places in the championship final.
