After sweeping aside teams on their way to the final, Kenya were a pale shadow of themselves in the decider and suffered a heartbreaking 3-0 defeat to Egypt, losing 25-22, 25-15 and 25-15.
Speaking to the press after the match, Sande, who was visibly emotional, explained why The Cleopatras overcame their Kenyan counterparts.
“For us, I think it was just a bad day. The game did not go as per our training and instructions from the coach. Many things did not go well.
Maybe as a team, we should not relax even when we win against teams with low set scores because every team poses a different challenge. I felt like we relaxed in the final. Going forward, we should ensure we concentrate from the first day of the championship to the last,” said Sande.
Apart from the first set, where Kenya gave Egypt a run for their money, the Malkia Strikers were sloppy, while the Egyptians were at their best.
Sande highlighted the strengths of the Egyptians that made them difficult for the Malkia Strikers to handle.
“We did not expect the game to go as it went. Everything worked for Egypt, and they displayed a good game. From their service, reception and attack, everything went well. They were composed and that is why they beat us,” she added.
Despite falling short in the final and missing out on a place in the Olympics, the Malkia Strikers booked a place in the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup.
