Kenya's U18 men’s team rallied from two sets down to beat Morocco 3-2 (11-25, 20-25, 25-13, 25-17, 15-7) in a five-set thriller at the African Nations Volleyball Championship in Tunisia.
The victory earned the Sila Makiso-led side two points in the final standings despite their earlier struggles in the tournament.
Kenya, with two losses, previously fell to Tunisia 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-16) and Egypt 3-0 (15-25, 13-25, 16-25). Egyptians lead the log with four wins and 12 points, followed by Tunisia with three wins and nine points.
Algeria also boasts three wins but trail with eight points. Morocco have five points with one win while Rwanda remain winless at the bottom.
Kenya finished third twice in 2008 and 2015 and fifth in 2018.
In the women's U20, the Tunisia national women's team defeated Kenya 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-16) at the African Nations Championships on Monday.
This competition is the fifth out of six age group competitions known to qualify the African teams for the World Championships after the already played girls' U18 in Madagascar, boys' U19 in Tunisia, men's U21 in Morocco and women's U23 in Kenya.
The sixth and last competition for men's U23 is still pending for an organiser.
The Continental championship was earlier postponed in 2022 to ensure the participation of at least four teams to guarantee the continental quota to the World Championship.
The girls are under renowned youth coach Justin Kigwari, who is also Kwanthanze head coach assisted by veteran national women's team player-turned-coach Catherine Mabwi and David Muthui.
Meanwhile, Kenya was not represented in the just concluded CAVB Congress, where Vice-Presidents, Gender in Minority members and candidates for the FIVB Board of Administration led by President Bouchra Hajij, for the 2024-2028 term were elected.
The countries represented include Cape Verde, Sudan, Chad, Burkina Faso, Libya , Zimbabwe and Burundi.
