The women’s triples competition took another important step towards its final on 19 September, with the quarter-finals and semi-finals bringing very different stories for the teams still chasing a place in the title match.
Mauritius began the day with a quarter-final against Burkina Faso. G. Ancharaz, Savoo P and K. Dookhee knew that a place in the semi-finals was within reach, but they had to get through a Burkina Faso side that had also made its way into the later stages.
Mauritius made the better start, winning the opening game 9–5. The second game was closer, but the Mauritian trio remained in control and took it 9–7.
With Burkina Faso needing to respond, the third game again stayed competitive. Mauritius eventually won it 9–7 to complete a 3–0 victory and move into the semi-finals.
Their next opponent was Egypt, represented by R. Hussien, G. Mohamed Fakhr and N. Refaat.
This time, Mauritius found itself on the other side of a difficult battle. Egypt opened with a 9–4 win, but Mauritius responded immediately, taking the second game 9–5.
The match was level, but Egypt regained control in the third game, winning 9–4. Mauritius continued to fight for a way back, but Egypt closed out the fourth 9–7 to win 3–1 and secure a place in the final.
On the other side of the semi-final draw, NOC-Kenya’s Blessings Buyanzi, Jacinta Nyaranda Sengera and Yvonne Mwikali faced Uganda’s M. Maliha, G. Mbabazi and O. Nakajja.
NOC-Kenya had already come through a difficult quarter-final against Benin. Buyanzi, Sengera and Mwikali were pushed into a five-game contest by Anna Gladys Akakpo, H. Fabossou and Flora Kpogbemabou.
Benin took the first game 9–7, but NOC-Kenya responded with a 9–7 win in the second. The Kenyan trio then moved ahead by taking the third 9–6.
Benin levelled the match again with a 10–8 fourth game, setting up a deciding fifth. NOC-Kenya held its composure and won the final game 9–4 to complete a 3–2 victory.
That win set up the semi-final against Uganda.
NOC-Kenya started strongly and took the opening game 9–6. The second game went the same way, with the Kenyan trio winning 9–4.
Uganda tried to change the direction of the match, but NOC-Kenya remained in control. The third game went 9–5 in their favour before they completed a 3–0 victory with a 9–4 fourth game.
The result sent NOC-Kenya into the women’s triples final, while Egypt also secured its place after defeating Mauritius.
Two different routes had therefore produced the same outcome: NOC-Kenya and Egypt were left standing for the final, with both teams now preparing for one more battle on the sand.
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