“Our main goal is one: be at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.”

That was the rallying call from Kenya captain, Meldina Sande as she leads her team into the Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship that serves off on Tuesday night at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Indoor Arena.

Malkia Strikers, who are the defending champions, open their campaign against Zambia in a Pool “A” fixture. Mali is the other team in the pool.

The 12-day championship, involving 15 nations, is being used as an African qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games as well as the 2027 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup that will be co-hosted by Canada and the United States of America.

“There are no shortcuts. We must make it to the Olympics,” said Sande.

“Winning at home will be special for the 10 players, who have never been to the Olympics, including yours truly,” said Sande, who was dropped at the last minute from the team that did duty at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Sande, 27, reckons that they have a big responsibility being the defending champions as well as playing behind their home fans.

“It’s a huge privilege to lead these bubbly, psyched up and energised players, who are hungry for results. They are ready to die on the court for the country,” said Sande.

She singled out Egypt and Cameroon as their main threat.

Malkia Strikers captain, Meldina Sande.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation

Also Read: Journey to Olympics: Kenya’s Malkia Strikers on the brink

A lot is at stake for Malkia Strikers in the championship, where they are the most decorated side, having lifted the title 10 times, four of them at MISC, Indoor Arena.

Since making their debut in the 1989 championship in Port Louis, Mauritius where they finished fourth behind winners Egypt, Mauritius and Madagascar, Kenya has been a force to reckon with, winning 10 gold and four silver medals.

Kenya memorably made their second appearance at the championship in 1991, which doubled up as the All African Games, now the African Games, that were held in Cairo, Egypt.

They stunned Egypt to claim both continental titles, which was swift revenge by Malkia Strikers, who had lost to the Egyptian side in the final at the 1987 All African Games in Nairobi.

Malkia Strikers' player Josephine Kataa trains at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on August 18, 2026.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

Kenya has hosted the championship five times: 2003, 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2015, winning all the editions save for the 2003 one, where they lost 3-1 to Egypt in the final.

Malkia Strikers’ victory against Egypt in the final in Yaoundé three years ago catapulted them to their fourth Olympic Games in 2024 Paris after 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens and 2020 Tokyo Summer Games.

Three top-placed teams from Nairobi will qualify for the World Cup, while the winner will get the only available slot for Africa at the 2028 LA Olympics.

It took eight years before Malkia Strikers recaptured the continental title in 2023 as they edged out Egypt whom they met for the first time in 20 years in the final.

Also Read: End of an era: Malkia Striker's Agala moves into coaching as she retires

Kenya beat Algeria 3-1 to win the 2015 edition before Cameroon won in 2017, 2019 and 2021, downing Kenya in all three finals.

The inaugural 1976 winners Egypt, Cameroon and Tunisia have won the championship three times each while Algeria and Seychelles have lifted the coveted trophy once each.

Malkia Strikers celebrate a win.

Photo credit: Mozzart Bet

Malkia Strikers have changed since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Japheth Munala took over as head coach from Brazilian coach Luizomar de Moura, who had guided the team through the 2023 qualification in April 2024 before Geoffrey Omondi took charge from March last year.

Omondi has retained four players from the 2024 Olympic squad, setters Emmaculate Nekesa and Esther Mutinda, outside hitter Veronica Adhiambo and middle blocker Belinda Barasa.

He has drafted in several teenagers including outside hitter Milka Akinyi, 18, and liberos Josephine Kataa, 19, and Sharon Arusei, 19.

The sensational Africa Under-20 winning captain, opposite hitter, Merlin Terry Tata, 19, is also in the team.

Also Read: Malkia Strikers to ditch camp over unpaid allowances as Africa Championship nears

Egypt have decorated players drawn from Africa Clubs champions Al Ahly and Zamalek. They are outside hitter Nada Meawad and opposite Aya Elshamy, all from Al Ahly and Zamalek outside Maya Mamdouh.

Kenya squad:

Setters - Emmaculate Nekesa (Pipeline), Esther Mutinda (KCB)
Opposites - Merlin Terry (KCB), Mercy Iminza (DCI)
Outside Hitters - Veronicah Adhiambo (Greece), Meldinah Sande (Rwanda Police), Daisy Leting (DCI), Milka Akinyi (Pipeline)
Middle Blockers - Gladys Ekaru (Pipeline) Belinda Barasa (KCB), Marian Sokoiyo (Pipeline), Lorine Chebet (Prisons)
Liberos - Josephine Kataa (KCB), Sharon Arusei (Pipeline)

Pools:

Pool A - Kenya, Zambia, Mali
Pool B - Egypt, Senegal, Uganda, Burkina Faso
Pool C - Cameroon, Nigeria, Tunisia, Ghana
Pool D - Algeria, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi

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