LYDIA Maiyo emerged top scorer with 20 points as Kenya humbled Cameroon 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 20-25, 25-09) in their second match of the ongoing 2016 women’s African Olympic Qualifiers at the Palais Des Spots Hall in Younde, Cameroon on Sunday night.
With the win, Kenya finished top of Group ‘A’ with six points, and were scheduled to play their old nemesis Egypt, who finished second in Pool ‘B’ l in the first semi-final last evening. Cameroon were pitted against Group ‘B’ leaders Algeria in the second semi-final.
It was an interesting encounter as friends became foes when setter Jane Wacu and left attacker Evelyne Makuto, who ply their trade in France with club Charmalieres came against their teammates Stephanie Fotso, Christine Nana and Fausia Abdul who also features for the France club.
Buoyed by the home advantage, Cameroon began the match with an advantage, racing to an early 3-0 lead and posting 8-6 at the first Technical Time Out of the opening set. Kenya then recovered to squeeze a 16-13 lead at the 2nd TTO. Kenya would then widen the scores 20-14, thanks to explosives spikes by the lanky Maiyo to bag the set 25-22.
Kenya, coached by Japheth Munala, dominated the second set in early minutes of play, leading 14-10 before Cameroon’s Fotso’s well oiled spikes narrowed the gap to 18-21. Kenya, however, put their act together to win 25-23.
In the third set, the hosts capitalised on Kenyans’ poor serves to lead 13-10 and 18-15 in the 1st and 2nd TTO before they ran away with the set 25-10.
Kenya recovered in the fourth set to easily win the set 25-9 and register their second win of the tournament after winning first match against Tunisia on Saturday.
Maiyo led the match scorers with 20 points aided by Lusenaka who scored impressive 15 points. Cameroon’s Stephanie Fotso led the losers as she contributed 12 points for her side. In the other match of the day, Algeria reigned beat neighbours Egypt 3-1 (18-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-23) .
Egypt led comfortably in the first set before Algeria came back aggressively to win 3 successive sets. Lydia Oulmou led Algerian scorers with 10 points, while Aya El Shami led the losers with 11 points. Botswana beat Uganda 3-2 (22-25, 25-21, 25-19, 10-25, 15-11) to finish 3rd of Pool B.
Gasekgonwe led Botswana scorers with 17 points while Peace Busingye led Uganda with 8 points.