k“We came, we saw ,we conquered” were the first words Malkia Strikers’ coach David Lung’aho told kawowo sports after the side defeated Peru on Sunday morning in Australia at the FIVB Grand Prix Group Three finals.
The 3-1 (21-25, 25-17, 25-22 and 25-23) victory guaranteed the nine-time African champions their first title outside the continent.
We were improving as the days progressed; I think fatigue during the African Cup brought our bad start but after Mexico we won five consecutive games. I can confidently say we are ready for the world; no one will take us for granted anymore
Lung’aho later added
Kenya started off on a wrong foot when they only managed one win out of their first three matches in Mexico when they labored to beat the hosts 3-2 (25-16, 20-25, 21-25, 25-17, 15-9).
Defeats to Colombia (25–21, 25–14, 25–20) and Peru (18–25, 12–25, 23–25) made Kenya’s work harder going into the second leg of the Grand Prix in Algeria.
And the side was a player less when setter Jannet Wanja fell sick. They solely relied on Jane Wacu throughout their three fixtures against Algeria, Mexico and Australia.
Kenya won all three matches to qualify for the finals that were in Australia. Kenya defeated the hosts 3-1 (21-25, 25-17, 25-22, and 25-23) on Saturday to book a date with Peru who had seen off Colombia in straight sets (25–16, 25–17, 25–19).
It is a great achievement and a dream come true to the players and technical bench. With God everything is possible. We can’t wait to compete in Group Two next year
Mercy Moim told standardmedia.co.ke, she was arguably Kenya’s best player at the championship
It is just unbelievable but we thank God for everything. After the Algeria leg, we had a feeling that we can reach the final, but wasn’t sure of winning it
Libero Elizabeth Wanyama added.
Next for the team are the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville where Kenya are eyeing a Gold, a medal they haven’t won since 1999 in South Africa Johannesburg.
Kenya’s games at the 2015 FIVB Grand Prix
Kenya 3-1 Peru (21-25, 25-17, 25-22 and 25-23)
Kenya 3-1 Australia (21-25, 25-17, 25-22, and 25-23)
Algeria 2-3 Kenya (25–20, 15–25, 25–23, 13–25, 13–15)
Mexico 0-3 Kenya (20–25, 17–25, 22–25)
Kenya 3-0Australia (25–20, 25–16, 25–15)
Kenya 0-3 Peru (18–25, 12–25, 23–25)
Mexico 2-3 Kenya (16–25, 25–20, 25–21, 17–25, 9–15)
Colombia 3-0 Kenya (25–21, 25–14, 25–20)
