Malkia Strikers took one step closer to a tenth continental crown – and a place at next year’s Paris Olympics – on the wrong footing when they lost 27-25 in a closely-contested first set.

The ladies struggled with their service and blocks in the first set, which was a see-saw affair, before coming back in the second set a different animal.

The hosts struggled to cope with the rampaging queens and not even the rapturous home crowd could spur them on as Coach Luizomar de Moura’s charges clinched the second set 25-14.

Malkia were now in the groove as they once again dominated the third set to win 25-11.

The West Africans did put up a fight in the third set, racing to a 9-6 lead before the Kenyans recovered to lead 18-13.

Cameroon briefly threatened a comeback to reduce the deficit to 18-16 but their longtime rivals were in no mood to let it all slip away at the tailend of the tie.

Kenya eventually ran out 25-18 in the decider set to confirm their place in Friday’s final as well as another opportunity to grace the quadrennial games in the French capital.

They will face Egypt who beat Rwanda in their other semi-final tie.