Kenya, Algeria continue with success on day 2 of African Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament
The four-nation African Women’s Volleyball Olympic Qualification Tournament took place from February 2 to 4 in Blida, Algeria.
Teams from Egypt, Kenya, host Algeria and Seychelles joined the action. According to the set formula of the competition, each day of the tournament featured two matches. Algeria and Kenya emerged as successful teams of day-1 as they defeated Egypt and Seychelles,
respectively.
Both teams carried the momentum into their next matches and performed wonderfully well on Friday, February 3rd. Algeria faced off Seychelles on the second day of the tournament, while African champions Kenya launched authority over Egypt and defeated them
in five-set match.
The first fixture on Friday brought the hosts Algeria in competition with Seychelles. The underdog Seychelles team was no match for charged-up Algerian team. They posed no threat on hosts and lost the match easily. The home squad improved to overall record
of 2-0 by winning second match against Seychelles, 3-0 (25-6, 25-6, 25-12).
Home team had certain advantages in the game. They had already beaten up tough rival Egypt in the previous match on Thursday and enjoyed a top form. Besides, the team was equipped with emotional support of local fans. They came out firing in the first frame
and totally dominated the Seychelles team.
The guest team dropped the first frame after scoring only six points 6-25. The second set unfolded the same story and Algeria clinched success with identical score of 25-6. Seychelles displayed comparatively better performance in third set. However, the
Algerian team stamped third-set win at 25-12 and announced match victory.
Kenyan ladies went against Egypt in the second match on day-2 of African Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament. Comparatively saying, it was tough match for both teams. The match spanned over five sets and finally Kenya became successful. The set scores
of the match were: 25-23, 23-25, 25-13, 20-25, 16-14.
The match between Kenya and Egypt was a complete thriller from start to end. Kenya claimed opening set of the match with close margin of two points before Egypt responded with second-set victory. The game score tied at 1-1 after two sets game, while all
the attention of spectators shifted to third set.
Kenya bounced back in third set and managed to push Egyptians behind. This time, they claimed success with fair edge of 12 points. Nonetheless, the resilient rival Egypt once again hit the equaliser in fourth set. They captured fourth set and game entered
the decisive fifth set.
The 15-point golden set put both teams to a real test of skills. The situation remained undecided until the set points. Eventually, Kenya earned two-point advantage to win final set and won the match.
At the end of second day of the tournament, Algeria and Kenya came out as the top contenders for the Olympic ticket. Only one of them was supposed to advance to the Olympics. Check back to find out about the final day results of African Women’s Olympic
Qualification Tournament.
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