NAIROBI, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Egypt are the women's Under-20 volleyball continental champions after they dismissed minnows Rwanda in straight sets in the finals of the Africa Championships in Nairobi on Sunday night.
The Egyptians extended their reign as the best team in age competition in the continent as they claimed a 3-0 set win over Rwanda (25-18, 25-10, 25-13) in a competition that attracted nine teams. However both teams secured their ticket to the 2019 Women's World Championship to be hosted in Mexico.
This is the eighth title for Egypt in a row out of nine editions. Tunisia are the only other side to have ever won the competition since its inauguration.
"They were stronger and clinical than us. We still need a few lessons to brush up our skills, but I have complete confidence in my team to do well in Mexico," said Rwanda team head coach Paul Bitok, Monday in Nairobi.
Rwanda coach however, believes that the gap is quickly closing on the Egyptians, who have won the tournament since 2004.
Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria are some of the teams that have ventured into age group competition and in two years, they will be able to rival the North Africans in all competitions.
In the third and fourth position play off, Cameroon overcame Nigeria 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-16) to clinch the bronze medal.
Host Kenya had to settle for the fifth place after they crushed Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 3-1 (23-23, 27-25, 25-17, 25-18), while Mauritius finished in position seven dismissing Tanzania in straight set 3-0 (36-16, 25-17, 25-22).
Meanwhile, Kenya's and Cameroon's senior national teams will compete at the World Championships at the end of this month in Japan.
Kenya, which have been camping in Nairobi, are due to leave for Japan on Sept. 9 for a week-long training and play select sides as part of their build-up for the tournament.
Cameroonians will be pitching camp in Marseille, France for training.
Kenya are pooled alongside Serbia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Kazakhstan at the World Championships.
