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African Queens clinch FIVB title


Kenya’s national women volleyball team posted their biggest victory on the global scene when they beat Peru to clinch gold in Group 3 of the FIVB Grand Prix in Australia on Sunday.

The African Queens defeated Peru 3-1 ( 21-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-23) in the final of the global meet at the AIS Arena in Canberra, Australia.

“We are now on top of the world. For those who have been asking why we never won at this level, we will deliver this trophy to them,” Kenya coach David Lung’aho told Nairobi News after the match.

Colombia meanwhile settled for third place after outclassing hosts Australia 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-16) in the classification match played at the same venue.

QUICKLY OFF THE BLOCKS

The National Oil Corporation sponsored Kenya team had its work cut out against the South Americans in this finale, having lost 3-0 (18-25, 12-25, 23-25) in their last meeting in Mexico in the preliminary phase of the competition.

Fans of the national women volleyball team at the FIVB Grand Prix in Australia.
Fans of the national women volleyball team at the FIVB Grand Prix in Australia.

Peru got off the blocks quickly keeping Kenya’s starting six of Janet Wanja, Ruth Jepng’etich, Mercy Moim, Elizabeth Wanyama, captain Brackides Agala and reserve youngster Noel Murambi on the back foot.

But Lung’aho’s charges, just like they did against Australia in the semi-finals on Saturday, rallied back to take charge of the proceedings, and win the remaining sets.

“We began the match well but lost ground in the second set by making silly mistakes and our opponents capialised on that,” Peru captain Uribe Mirtha said after the result.

Attacker Moim led the scoring charts with 19 points, followed by Noel Murambi and Agala on 15 and 9 points respectively .