Kenyan Volleyball Teams Experience Mixed Fortunes at Olympic Qualifiers

Kenya’s women’s beach volleyball duo, Gaudencia Makokha and Naomie Too, commenced their journey at the FIVB Beach Volley Continental Cup and Olympic qualifiers with a decisive victory.

The match, held on the sandy courts of Kabila Beach in Tetouan, Morocco, saw the Kenyan team triumph over Gambia’s Isatou Secka and Ginadou Mariama with a score of 2-0.

The 2019 African Cup of Nations runners-up showcased their prowess, winning the sets 21-9 and 21-16, asserting their dominance over the Gambian team. Their next challenge is a face-off against Nigeria in the concluding match of Pool B, as they aim for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Conversely, the Kenyan men’s team, comprising Brian Melly and Edward Kibet, faced setbacks in their Olympic qualification bid, enduring losses against teams from Mauritius and Cameroon.

The Mauritian duo of Alfred Gilbert and David Carcasse handed Melly and Kibet a 2-0 defeat (21-16, 21-16) in their opening match.

The situation deteriorated in their subsequent game, where they were bested 2-0 (21-18, 21-17) by Cameroon’s Obenda and Nsangou, dimming their prospects for advancing to the knockout stages. To keep their Olympic dreams alive, Melly and Kibet must secure victories in their upcoming matches against Togo and Botswana.

The matches are scheduled for Friday, with the Kenyan men set to compete against Botswana at midday, followed by an evening game against Togo. As Makokha and Too set their sights on securing a second consecutive Olympic berth, Melly and Kibet are determined to make their debut at the prestigious summer games.