KCB Volleyball Ladies Finish as Runners-Up in Thrilling Africa Clubs Championship Final
Nairobi, Kenya – KCB Volleyball Ladies put up a valiant fight but fell short in the 2026 Africa Clubs Championship final, losing 3-1 to Egypt’s Al Ahly in a gripping showdown in Cairo. Despite the defeat, the Kenyan side secured a historic second-place finish, marking a significant improvement from their fifth-place result last year.
A Hard-Fought Final
KCB started strong, clinching the first set 25-22, raising hopes of an upset against the tournament favorites. However, Al Ahly—an 11-time champion—responded with relentless precision, taking the next three sets (25-15, 25-20, 25-16) to claim the title.
The loss was KCB’s only setback in an otherwise flawless campaign, where they dominated the group stages and knockout rounds without dropping a single match before the final.
Individual Brilliance Amid Team Effort
Despite the team’s narrow miss at gold, several KCB players shone individually. Malyn Terry Tata was named Best Opposite Attacker, while Sharon Cherono and Juliana Namutira earned Best Middle Blocker and Best Outside Hitter honors, respectively.
Team captain Mercy Moim praised her squad’s resilience:
“We gave everything we had. Even when the momentum shifted, we never stopped fighting. This isn’t the trophy we wanted, but we leave with pride—knowing we pushed one of Africa’s best teams to their limits.”
A Rivalry Renewed
The final added another chapter to the storied rivalry between KCB and Al Ahly. The two teams have faced off in three previous finals:
- 2006 (Mauritius): KCB won 3-2 after a group-stage loss to Al Ahly.
- 2009 (Nairobi): Al Ahly avenged the defeat with a 3-1 victory.
- 2022 (Tunisia): KCB triumphed 3-1, ending Kenya’s nine-year title drought.
This year, Al Ahly reclaimed bragging rights, but KCB’s journey to the final was nothing short of impressive.
Road to the Final
KCB dominated Pool D, sweeping Nigeria’s Vipers and Partners (3-0), Seychelles’ ARSU Ladies (3-0), and Cameroon’s Litto Team Volleyball (3-0). They carried that momentum into the knockouts, defeating Burundi’s GLC (3-0) and Cameroon’s Mayo Kani Evolution (3-0) before overcoming Kenyan rivals Kenya Pipeline 3-1 in a tense semifinal.
Al Ahly, meanwhile, fought back from a set down to beat Tunisia’s CF Carthage (3-1), setting up the final clash.
Looking Ahead
KCB patron Judith Sidi Odhiambo expressed pride in the team’s performance:
“Finishing second in Africa is a massive achievement. These players have shown heart, skill, and determination. We’ll build on this success and aim higher in our next competitions.”
With young stars emerging and experienced leaders like Moim guiding the squad, KCB’s future in African volleyball looks brighter than ever.
— Reported by Nexio News
