The 2019 African Women’s volleyball Championship kicks off in Cairo Egypt this Tuesday, with defending Champions, Cameroon battling to retain the title they won at home in Yaounde, back in 2019. Six other nations, Kenya, Egypt, Senegal, Algeria, Botswana and Morocco, will be fighting to dethrone the defending Champions.
Founded in 1976, the competition has produced some scintillating moments in its last 18 editions. Only six countries have so far tasted the most coveted gold medal in the past 18 editions, with Kenya having the lion’s share, haven won it nine times. Egypt and Tunisia have won a joint total of six (three each), with Cameroon, Algeria and the Seychelles, completing the podium.
LAST 10 WINNERS
YEAR. HOST CITY. WINNERS
1999_Lagos_Tunisia
2001_ Port Harcourt_ Seychelles
2003_ Nairobi_ Egypt
2005 _Abuja_ Kenya
2007_ Nairobi_ Kenya
2009 _ Blida_ Algeria
2011 _Nairobi_ Kenya
2013_ Nairobi_ Kenya
2015_ Nairobi_ Kenya
2017_Yaoundé_ Cameroon.
As the 19th edition of the competition kicks off in Egypt this Tuesday, it is clear that nine times winners, Kenya, stands out as favourites, as they chase their 10th crown. They will however have a tough challenge against the likes of Cameroon. The volleyball Lionesses of Cameroon have quickly risen to a power House in the continent, as far as volleyball is concern and Coach Jean Rene Akono will be expecting his girls to replicate their 2017 performance. Christelle Nana will have the responsibility of galvanizing the troops, as they search for their second continental honor.
Host Nation Egypt,will also be a team to watch. Their performance in Cameroon 2017, was telling of a Nation with great ambitions in future competitions and who knows that future might be now, at home in Cairo. Senegal is also expected to have their say, as they search for their first ever continental glory, in women’s volleyball.
The team that gets the digs, the settings and the spikes correctly, will stand a chance of being champions, come July 15, 2019, when the competition rounds off in Cairo Egypt.
AFESEH APONG
@afesehapong (Twitter)
