Malkia Strikers renew Algeria rivalry in women’s volleyball championship quarter-final

Kenya’s Malkia Strikers return to action on Tuesday evening with a place in the semi-finals of the Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship at stake when they face Algeria at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Indoor Arena.

The quarter-final promises a different test for Kenya after they comfortably dispatched Nigeria 3-0 in the round of 16 on Sunday. Algeria, meanwhile, booked their place in the last eight after producing an equally convincing straight-sets victory over Senegal.

Kenya won 25-21, 25-17 and 25-15 against Nigeria, with opposite hitter Malyne Terry Tata and middle blocker Elizabeth Sokoiyo leading the charge with 14 points apiece.

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Algeria responded with a 25-15, 25-17 and 25-16 victory over Senegal, setting up another chapter in one of African women’s volleyball’s familiar rivalries.

History favours Kenya

The numbers make encouraging reading for the hosts.

Kenya and Algeria have met three times in the final of the continental championship, in 2007, 2011 and 2015, and the Malkia Strikers won all three encounters.

The first came in the 2007 championship in Nairobi, where Kenya produced a commanding 3-0 victory, taking the sets 25-22, 25-23 and 25-22. The hosts had also defeated Algeria in the pool stage, winning 25-22, 25-20 and 25-15.

Four years later, the two teams again met in the final, with Kenya prevailing 3-1. The Malkia Strikers won 25-10, lost the second set 17-25 before recovering to take the next two 25-21 and 25-13.

The 2015 final followed a similar script, although Kenya did not drop a set. The hosts won 3-0, with scores of 25-17, 25-21 and 25-20.

Those results underline Kenya’s long-standing superiority over Algeria at the African championship.

Algeria, however, will not be short of motivation. Their last continental title came on home soil in 2009, when they defeated three-time champions Tunisia 3-0 in Blida.

The North Africans have also shown in the past that they can trouble Kenya outside the continental championship. Algeria defeated Kenya in the African qualifiers for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2012 London Olympics.

The most recent meeting at the African championship came in the 2019 edition in Cairo. Kenya won that pool encounter 3-0 before eventually finishing runners-up after a 3-2 defeat by Cameroon in the final.

Sande demands greater concentration

Despite Kenya’s impressive record, captain Meldina Sande knows past victories will have little bearing once the first serve is made on Tuesday.

The skipper has called on her teammates to tighten areas of their game that could become costly against a stronger opponent.

Ball reception, accuracy and movement are among the areas Kenya wants to improve after the Nigeria match.

“We need to work on ball accuracy and court movement in the coming matches. Our serves have not been on target, and we must adjust, knowing things will get more competitive going forward,” Sande said.

Her comments reflect the reality facing Kenya.

The margin for error becomes smaller as the tournament progresses, and Algeria are expected to provide a more demanding challenge than Nigeria.

A strong reception will be particularly important because it allows Kenya’s setters to distribute the ball effectively and keep Algeria guessing.

Serving will also come under the spotlight. Errant serves can hand opponents cheap points, something Kenya cannot afford in a tight quarter-final.

Coach Geoffrey Omondi is equally aware of the threat posed by Algeria but has avoided revealing too much about his tactical plans.

“Walls have ears. We know where we will get them. They are a fast side compared to Nigeria, which fits well with our systems,” Omondi said.

That assessment could prove significant.

Algeria’s speed means Kenya will need to move quickly into defensive positions while maintaining discipline at the net. The Malkia Strikers will also have to limit gaps that Algeria’s attackers can exploit.

Tata and Sokoiyo provide attacking threat

Kenya’s performance against Nigeria offered plenty of positives, particularly from Tata and Sokoiyo.

Both finished with 14 points, giving Kenya the attacking depth required to control the match.

Tata’s contribution included 11 successful attacks, while Sokoiyo produced eight attacks, demonstrating Kenya’s ability to find points through different areas of the court.

Their performances will be important again against Algeria.

The hosts cannot afford to rely on one attacking outlet, especially if Algeria succeeds in establishing an effective block. Kenya’s setters will therefore need to keep varying their options and exploit spaces in the Algerian defence.

Sokoiyo’s presence in the middle could be particularly useful when Kenya looks to disrupt Algeria’s rhythm.

On the other side, Algeria will look to middle blocker Amira Rahmani and outside hitter Yasmine Abderrahim.

The pair impressed during Algeria’s victory over Senegal and are expected to carry much of the attacking responsibility.

Kenya’s blockers will need to track their movements closely, while the backcourt must remain alert to Algeria’s ability to change the direction of attacks.

No room for complacency

Kenya’s history against Algeria offers confidence, but it can also create a danger if the players underestimate their opponents.

Algeria have returned to the quarter-finals with momentum after two convincing victories, and their ability to play at speed could force Kenya outside its comfort zone.

The Malkia Strikers, therefore, enter Tuesday’s contest as favourites but not with the luxury of complacency.

Playing at Kasarani should provide another advantage. The familiar surroundings and home support have historically helped Kenya produce some of its strongest performances against Algeria.

The challenge now is to turn that advantage into another complete performance.

Kenya’s route through the tournament is becoming increasingly demanding. The team has already demonstrated its ability to win convincingly, but the quarter-final will test its composure, reception, serving and tactical discipline more severely.

History says Algeria have yet to find a way past Kenya at the African championship since returning to the competition in 2003.

On Tuesday night, the Fennecs will attempt to change that record.

The Malkia Strikers will be determined to ensure another chapter of the rivalry ends the same way as the previous major encounters—with Kenya celebrating victory in Nairobi.