The battle for medals at the African Women's Volleyball Championship is entering its decisive phase. Today, the two semifinals will be played in Nairobi, and Bulgaria will once again have its representation in one of the most important matches of the championship.
Our international referee Ivaylo Ivanov will be the first referee for the semifinal between Rwanda and Egypt, which starts at 4:00 PM Bulgarian time. The information about the appointment was personally confirmed to VolleyWeek by Ivanov.
This is the Bulgarian arbiter's second assignment as first referee in the elimination phase of the championship. In the quarterfinals, Ivanov officiated the match between the host and reigning champion Kenya and Algeria, won by the Kenyans with 3:1 (21:25, 25:7, 25:15, 25:18).
Kenya had to make a comeback after losing the first set 21:25. The hosts responded decisively with 25:7 in the second and then closed out the match with 25:15 and 25:18. The Kenyans had a huge advantage in blocks – 18:4, and finished with 11 aces against 4 for Algeria.
4:00 PM: Rwanda – Egypt
The first semifinal pits Rwanda against Egypt. Both teams reached the Top 4 without a defeat, with the Egyptians being even more impressive – they haven't lost a single set since the start of the championship.
Rwanda reached the medal battle after a 3:1 (25:17, 24:26, 25:19, 25:18) victory over Ghana. Tuyishime was the leading figure for the winners with 22 points, of which 20 were in attack and 2 in blocks.
Egypt was even more decisive in the quarterfinals and eliminated Tunisia with 3:0 (25:20, 25:14, 25:9). The Egyptians dominated with 45:29 points in attack and 11:6 in blocks, and Meeto finished as the top scorer for the winners with 18 points.
The winner of Rwanda – Egypt will qualify for the final, where they will meet the winner of Kenya – Cameroon.
7:00 PM: Kenya – Cameroon
The second semifinal pits the host and reigning champion Kenya against three-time African champion Cameroon.
Kenya is chasing its 11th continental title. The hosts are the most successful team in the history of the competition with 10 gold medals and reached the semifinal after a 3:1 (21:25, 25:7, 25:15, 25:18) victory over Algeria.
Cameroon also continues without defeat. In the quarterfinals, the Cameroonians dealt with Uganda with 3:0 (25:18, 25:20, 25:18) and secured their place among the top four teams on the continent.
Thus, all semifinalists – Rwanda, Egypt, Kenya, and Cameroon – enter the decisive phase of the African Championship without a lost match.
The stakes are huge. In addition to the continental title, the champion in Nairobi will receive the direct African quota for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. The top three teams in the final standings will also qualify for the 2027 World Cup.
Semifinals – September 3:
4:00 PM: Rwanda – Egypt– first referee Ivaylo Ivanov (Bulgaria)
7:00 PM: Kenya – Cameroon
