Kwanthanze, a girls' volleyball team from Machakos county, champions of the Federation of East and Central Africa Secondary Schools Games, has won the African Schools Championship in Casablanca, Morocco.
The Machakos-based school won the inaugural continental competition's championship by defeating host nation Morocco in the final of a five-team competition in straight sets.
The team seems to have adequately prepared for the competition following the victory.
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In the East Africa Games, which were held in Arusha in September of last year, Kwanthanze overcame fellow Kenyan schools Kesogon and Cheptil 3-0 and 3-1, respectively, to secure their spots in the competition.
The five teams who signed up for the girls' competition were split into two groups. Kwanthanze was grouped with Morocco B, while Senegal, Niger, and Morocco A were in the opposite pool.
The Justin Kigwari-coached Kwanthanze dominated the hosts' Morocco B in their opening match, winning 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-10) to secure their spot in the championship round.
Morocco is in the other pool. Senegal and Niger were vanquished, setting up a meeting with Kenya in the thrilling final on Tuesday, 28.
With a 3-0 victory against the hosts in straight sets (25-11, 25-14, 25-20), Kwanthanze won their first continental championship.
"The matches were not easy. We played two Morocco teams, but I have to give it to my players for withstanding such competitive matches and displaying high-level skills.
We are honored to have won the African championship. Coach Kigwari said, "We thank everyone who supported the team during training and in competition from the zonal level until being named African champions.
Regrettably, Cheptil was defeated 0-3 by Lycee of Morocco in their inaugural game (17-25, 16-25, 19-25).
The competition was slated to bring together the winners from School Games across Africa in a variety of disciplines, with Kenya and East Africa being represented by two teams in addition to the Ugandan Basketball 3-point teams.
