Kenya’s U20 volleyball team, Junior Malkia Strikers, have clinched the U20 African Volleyball title following a gutsy performance against traditional rivals Cameroon on Monday, August 11, 2025.

In a tense cliffhanger that encompassed all in guile, grit, and tactical display, Jackline Barasa’s budding charges showed their mettle on enemy territory to down Cameroon 3-1 for the continental bragging rights.

Kenya bagged the clash with scores of 24-26, 25-19, 26-28, and 16-25.

The team had already secured qualification to the upcoming U20 World Championship games following their qualification to the finals.

Kenya, who are ranked first in the volleyball games, qualified along with Cameroon and Egypt, who finished the tournament in third place.

The win served a sweet revenge for Kenya, who had fallen to the West Africans in the preliminary stages.

Poor start

Kenya kicked off on a poor note with five consecutive points, prompting a timeout call from coach Barasa.

The subsequent battle saw both teams compete at close quarters, with the burly West Africans proving dominance with their blocking away from the net.

A drop in intensity and poor service from Cameroon, however, saw the Kenyans hit back to narrowly edge the tie on 24-26.

The second set started once again with Kenya on the back foot, with Cameroon’s effective blocking of Kenya’s main threats from Terry Tata.

The host went on to bag the set on a 19-25 margin.

A tightly contested third set proved all in offering the action-packed drama.

Terry Tata comes up clutch

Kenya’s shining star for the duration of the games, Terry Tata, proved influential in giving the visitors the edge.

Her trickery in the attack game proved crucial as it upended proceedings on a 20-15 scoreline midway through the middle stage before Cameroon’s resurgence prompted a timeout for Kenya.

The slim margin of points reigned as the tie grew on.

A delicately poised end-to-end clash was stretched beyond the 25 mark as Kenya hung in the tie, hitting back every time the Cameroonian took the lead.

Their gutsy display concluded with the slimmest of margins of 28-26 in favour of Kenya.

Finish the tie

Buoyed by the latest win, Kenya came out guns blazing, determined to finish off the tie with Sheila Khasandi’s impressive serving coupled with excellent digging, storming them to a 10-0 lead.

The hosts, buoyed by their sizeable fans at the Yaounde Sports Complex, rallied back with five points as the tie proceeded to the first time-out with scores at 13-5.

A moment of resurgence by the hosts saw them reduce the deficit to a four-point difference before Milka Apuoyo and Patricia Chemutai at the front row restored Kenya’s lead to 22-13.

The resilient Kenyan team was not to be denied as they held on to bag the Africa trophy in enemy territory, winning the final fourth set 16-25.

 The finale sparked wild scenes for the Kenyan queens, who had a victory to savour as Barasa sank to his knees in a mixture of jubilation and awe after the victory.

The winning Team

Sheila Khasandi, Isabellah Nafula, Sharon Jepkogei Arusei, Mary Nanjala, Eddah Jepkemei, Benta Akoth Oluoch, Daisy Chepkirui (Captain), Sharon Ruth Omondi

Terry Maline Tata, Daisy Chepleting, Milka Akinyi Apuoyo and Patricia Chemtai

Team Officials:

Coach—Jackline Barasa

Assistant Coach: Luka Kariuki

Physiotherapist-Conceptor Bala

Referee—Lucy Chege

Team manager: Kenneth Tonui

Head of Delegation—Ismail Chege