EGYPT'S under-23 women's volleyball team will be Africa's sole representative in the World Cup in Slovenia after winning the African championship, reports Abeer Anwar. The young female Pharaohs won the African Nations Championship after defeating Botswana in straight sets (25-16, 25-10, 25-19) in the final held at Kasarani Sports Hall in Nairobi, Kenya. Egypt won all their matches, including against Kenya, the host country. The victory put Egypt in first place with a 4-0 record in the five-nation tournament, while Kenya claimed the silver after they beat Rwanda 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-19). Botswana ended up in fourth place with one win and three losses, while Senegal finished last without winning a game. Egyptian middle blocker Aya Ahmed was named most valuable player, teammate Farida Al-Askalani was best blocker and Mariam Ahmed best libro in the championship. “This shows that we are planning correctly as Kenya has been leading the African continent for years,” Fouad Abdel-Salam, head of the Egyptian Volleyball Federation, said. “But now the Pharaohs are taking over and are able to beat the Kenyans away to be the African representative in the World Cup next summer. For the first time in Egyptian history we are participating in this age category. The golden era of the Egyptians is starting.” Abdel-Salam added that preparations for the event should start from now. “We don't want to participate as guests but as real competitors.” Ahmed Fathi, the team's head coach, was delighted with the team's achievement, attributing it to the “determination of the players to qualify to the World Cup for the first time in their history”.