Kenya has won the Women’s Under-20 Africa Nations Championship volleyball tournament.

The team, christened ‘Junior Malkia Strikers’, on Monday evening fought off a strong challenge from hosts Cameroon to claim their maiden continental title after triumphing 3-1 sets in the mouth-watering final match played in Yaoundé.

The ‘Junior Malkia Strikers’ claimed the first set 26-24, but Cameroon rallied from behind to take the second 25-19. Kenya regrouped to win the third set 28-26.

The Kenyan girls were in their own class in the fourth set, displaying great serves and strikers that troubled their opponents. They led 10-0 before Cameroon called for a time-out, but the hosts still trailed 13-5.

There were moments of jitters when the hosts dug deep and inched closer at 14-10, but the Kenyan girls stood firm to win the set 25-16.

Both teams qualified for the final of the tournament for the first time, and both booked their places in the 2026 World Under-20 Championships. Champions Kenya will be making their third return to the global event next year, but Cameroon will take part for the first time.

Kenya and Cameroon will be joined by eight-time champions Egypt at the world event. Egypt beat Senegal 3-1 in the play-off for third place to claim bronze.

Tunisia, who were the defending champions, failed to travel for the championship, having ended Egypt’s dominance last year. The Egyptians had won eight editions back-to-back.