Kenya’s Under-20 women’s team take on hosts Cameroon in the final of the 2025 African Nations Volleyball Championship this evening in Yaoundé, eager to turn the tables in a rematch of their preliminary encounter on August 5, which they lost 3–1.
The Junior Malkia Strikers sealed their place in the title decider on Sunday with a commanding straight-sets win of 3–0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-23) over Egypt in the semifinals. The win also booked them a ticket to the 2026 FIVB World Championship as one of the top three teams in the tournament.
Captain Terry Tata Idachi, who battled through an ankle injury to inspire her side past Egypt, earned Player of the Match honours and the admiration of both teammates and fans.
“Your hard work and determination have made the nation proud,” said Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, pledging the government’s support as the team bids for gold.
Cameroon powered past Senegal 3–0 (25-7, 25-14, 25-11) in the other semifinal to set up the highly anticipated final, while earlier on Sunday, Uganda defeated Burundi 3–1 (25-13, 25-14, 25-18, 25-23) in the classification match for fifth place.
The third-place playoff between Egypt and Senegal will be played at 3:00 p.m., serving as the curtain-raiser to the final. Kenya’s journey to the final has been built on resilience and consistency, having also beaten Egypt 3–1 in the preliminary round before repeating their dominance in the semifinal.
The final against Cameroon serves not only as a chance for continental glory but also as an opportunity for redemption, with the match set to start at 6 pm.
Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) President, Charles Nyaberi, said, “Congratulations to the Junior Malkias for blanking Egypt 3–0 to romp into the final and assure themselves of a slot in the Under-20 World Championships! Well done, Junior Malkias!”
Deputy President Paul Bitok also lauded the team’s achievement, stating: "With this win, the team has qualified for the finals and secured a ticket to the 2026 FIVB U20 World Championship. We wish the girls and the technical team all the best on Monday as they face the winner between Cameroon and Senegal."
"We believe in your talent, teamwork, and fighting spirit — bring the trophy home!
Junior Malkia Strikers carry only their faith, pride, and determination as they step onto the court. Their grit and passion have shown that belief in God and love for the game can be stronger than financial incentives.
