One more African giants Egypt and Tunisia will fight to earn the 2016 Rio Olympic Games ticket after both sides beat their opponents in the semifinal of the 2016 Men’s African Olympic qualifiers at Elende Hall in Brazzaville, Congo on Sunday.
It was easy for the three time Olympians Egypt to overcome Cameroon in straight sets 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-19), while six time qualifiers Tunisia had to fight aggressively for 133 minutes to overpower Algeria in grueling five setter 3-2 (24-26, 25-22, 15-25, 28-26, 15-13).
In the fifth place match hosts Congo Brazzaville crushed their neighbours RD Congo 3-0 (25-22, 26-24, 25-18).
Egypt’s coach used most of his line up in their match against Cameroon to distribute the efforts to all players ahead of the final on Tuesday, but still they could dominate the match completely till they won in straight sets.
Tunisia came twice from a set behind to beat the struggling Algerian new formation hardly in epic tiebreaker that made the spectators on their toes throughout the 133 minutes.
Tunisia’a outside hitter Ismail Moalla in action
Egypt meet Tunisia officially for the fourth time this year after Egypt won the final of the 2015 Men’s African Nations championship 3-0, the World Cup encounter 3-2 and their first round Pool A match 3-0.
The winner of the tournament will book a direct ticket to Rio de Janeiro 2016, while the second and third placed teams will earn another opportunity to qualify through the World Olympic Qualifiers.
History was re-played in the 2016 Men’s African Olympic qualifiers as the 4 continental giants Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Cameroon booked semifinal tickets to retain their dreams of filling Africa’s direct vacancy to the prestigious Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games after the competition’s third day held at Henri Elende Hall in Brazzaville, Congo on Saturday.
Egypt upset their arch rivals Tunisia 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-20) to lead Pool A with 2 wins, but the losers had already secured the qualification ticket to the semis earlier.
RD Congo in timeout
Algeria finished their pool B matches with a clean sheet after they pulled off the third victory over RD Congo 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-11) and were joined by Cameroon who set their second victory over Nigeria 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-20).
Now Egypt (1st of Pool A) face Cameroon (2nd of Pool B) and Algeria (1st of Pool B) line up against Tunisia (2nd of Pool A) in classic semifinal matches on Monday. Congo Brazzaville meet their neighbours RD Congo for the fifth place.
The 4 qualifiers were the semifinalists of most of the recent editions of African Nations Championship.
Egypt overwhelmed Tunisia in the last of pool A matches in a match lasting 72 minutes. Egypt dominated the match throughout the three sets led by the match scorer Ahmed Salah who scored one third of his team points. Egypt led the pool with a win loss ratio of 2-0, while Tunisia dropped to 1-1 to join Egypt to the semifinal leaving hosts Congo in the third position.
Algeria celebrate the victory
Algeria were too strong for RD Congo to easily go to a straight sets victory (25-17, 25-18, 25-11) to lead Pool B with 3-0 record, while the losers dropped to 1-2 to finish third. Cameroon rebounded from the second day defeat against Algeria to clinch the second win against Nigeria 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-20) to improve to 2-1 and qualify to the semifinal as second of the pool, while winless Nigeria finished fourth of the pool.
African Champions Egypt started their campaign at the 2016 Men’s African Qualifier with a 3-1 (25-16, 25-15, 25-27, 25-16) over hosts Congo in day 2 of the tournament held at Henri Elende Hall in Brazzaville, Congo on Friday.
Algeria maintained their superior performance to win their second match 3-0 (25-17 , 25-13 ,25-16) in Pool B that showed also Congo RD achieving the first win against Giants Nigeria 3-1 (21-25, 26-24, 28-26, 25-14).
The matches were attended by Congo Minister of Sports Dr Leon Alfred Opimbat, CAVB President Dr Amr Elwani and Congo VB Fed President and LOC President Jean Mopita.
In Pool A Egypt fought for 94 minutes to beat Congo 3-1 (25-16, 25-15, 25-27, 25-16) in front of home crowd. After leading 2-0, Egyptian setter Abdalla Abdel salam was injured as Congo went bravely to win the third set before they came back in the third set. Egypt is now 1-0 in their first match and meet their compatriot Tunisia on Saturday for the first position decider in Pool A.
Algeria overwhelmed their match against giants Cameroon to win 3-0 (25-17, , 25-13 ,25-16) in 68 minutes. Algeria improved their win- loss ratio to 2-0, while Cameroon dropped to 1-1.
RD Congo rebounded from a set behind to upset Nigeria 3-1 (21-25, 26-24, 28-26, 25-14) to achieve the first win in 111 minutes. RD Congo improved their record to 1-1, while Nigeria dropped to 0-2.
Now Tunisia led Pool A with the set ratio ahead of Egypt but both teams secured semifinal berth, while hosts Congo were eliminated. Algeria led Pool B with 6 points ahead of Cameroon and RD Congo Both 3 points and Nigeria (O).
African giants Tunisia and Egypt were drawn together in Pool A of Men’s African Olympic qualification tournament due to start in Brazzaville, Congo on Thursday.
The heavy favourites will also line up against a third great team which is host Congo Brazzaville, the 2015 All Africa Games silver medallists.
Tunisian team
Pool B includes emerging Algeria along with Cameroon, Congo RD and Nigeria.
The drawing of lots was held on Wednesday in presence of CAVB President Dr Amr Elwani and Local Organising Committee President Jean Mopita.
The opening day features Tunisia against Congo in Pool A, while Cameroon face Congo RD and Algeria meet Nigeria in Pool B
Pools Pool A: Tunisia- Egypt- Congo Brazzaville Pool B: Cameroon- Algeria- Congo RD- Nigeria
Congo Brazzaville is now getting ready to host the historic 2016 Men’s African Qualification tournament for Rio de Janeiro which will feature a record of participating countries.
The qualifiers will be hosted in Brazzaville January 7 to 14, 2016 in presence of 23 countries competing for the African slot at the 2016 Olympics, while the runner up and third placed teams will have other opportunities throughout the World Olympic qualifiers.
At the top of the list of participants comes Tunisia who qualified to the last Olympics in London 2012. Tunisia carries the record of qualification to the Sports prestigious event with 6 times at the Olympics 1972 (Munich), 1984 (Los Angeles), 1988 (Seoul), 1996 (Atlanta), 2004 (Athens) and 2012 (London). Beijing
Tunisia’a outside hitter Ismail Moalla in action
With a star studded team, Egypt wants to continue their successful run in the last 10 years during which they grabbed the African Nations Championship’s title for 6 consecutive times. They also want to revenge their defeat against their compatriots Tunisia in the last qualifiers in Cameroon 2012. Egypt qualified to the Olympic Games in 3 occasions: 1984 (Los Angeles), 2000 (Sydney) and 2008 (Beijing).
With a promising team, Algeria dream to qualify to the Olympic after 26 y of absence since their last qualification in Barcelona 1992 which is the only time they existed in the quadrennial event. The team comprising of youngsters won early this year the gold medal at the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.
All Africa Games big surprise Congo Brazzaville who stood for the first time in the silver medal podium come as a new force aiming for the first qualification for the Olympics.
Congo team celebrating during the last AAG
The registered teams for the Olympic qualifier are Algeria, Tunisia, Gambia, Cape Verde, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Ghana, Central Africa Republic, Congo Brazzaville, Congo RDC, Cameroon, Gabon, Kenya, Egypt, Sudan, Uganda, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Madagascar and Senegal
History of African qualifiers for Olympic Games
– Tunisia : 6 times: 1972 (Munich), 1984 (Los Angeles), 1988 (Seoul), 1996 (Atlanta), 2004 (Athens), 2012 (London).
– Egypt : 3 times : 1984 (Los Angeles), 2000 (Sydney), 2008 (Beijing).
– Algeria : 1 time : 1992 (Barcelona).
– Libya : 1 time : 1980 (Moscow).
Head Coach of the U-23 National Team, Samson Siasia has attributed the defeat of his team by Burkina Faso in the semi finals of the 11th All-Africa Games football tournament in Brazzaville to his boys’ profligacy in front of goal, and the defenders failing in their duties.
Speaking after Tuesday’s game, a disappointed Siasia disclosed that in his wildest imagination, he did not for once believed his team would lose Burkina Faso, let alone by such a high margin.
Siasia said: “I never imagined losing to Burkina Faso, but then my midfielders played so well, my defenders and attackers let me down, can you imagine my attackers not being able to convert about eight chances that came their way?
“To make matters worse, the defenders were asleep on a day they should have been up and doing. Who told the central defenders to keep offside trap the way they did? I am totally disappointed; we can’t play like this in Senegal and expect to qualify for the 2016 Olympics. No way!
“We were so bad that anytime the ball beat the defenders, even my goalkeeper could not stop any of the shots fired at him. Football is a team work where errors are bound to occur, but it’s the ability of fellow team mates to cover for one another that makes a team great, that I didn’t see today.”
Siasia Samson Nigeria U23 Coach credit fifa.com
On the way forward, Siasia stated that he is happy that the worst has happened at the All-Africa Games and he has learnt his mistakes.
“We will make corrections after the All-Africa Games. I plan to travel to talk to some players I have already penciled down, then hopefully, the team should be assembling in first week of October to prepare for the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations. Certainly, some of the players I brought to Congo Brazzaville will have to give way.”
Siasia then apologized to Nigerians for letting them down by not qualifying for the All-Africa Games men’s football final and bringing home the gold medal. “I am not a man of excuses. I take all the blame for this collapse and will certainly make amends before the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.”
Unfortunately, Nigeria’s senior women’s team, Super Falcons, also in the semi final of the women’s football event, crashing 1-2 to Cameroon also on Tuesday.
Angola Men and Nigeria Women’s Beach volleyball teams claimed the gold medals at the Beach Volleyball competition of 2015 All Africa Games held at Kintele Stadium in Brazzaville, Congo on Sunday.
Angola Men’s team pulled off a tough victory over neighbours Mozambique 2-0 (21-18, 21-18) in the final match to capture the gold medal after a great fought.
Men medallists during the national anthem
Nigeria Women’s team had to play a long tiebreaker to beat the favourites South Africa 2-1 (11-21, 21-13, 15-13) to claim their first gold medal in a senior championship.
South Africa men’s made the medal podium fully coming from zone 6 after they overcame Rwanda in the bronze medal match 2-0 (21-13, 21-15).
Rwanda made the podium in women’s competition after they won the bronze medal following their 2-0 (21-17, 21-16) victory over Kenya.
Men and women winners on the podium together with officials
Men’s Final ranking
1. Angola
2. Mozambique
3. South Africa
4. Rwanda
5. Tunisia
6. Sierra Leone
7. Ghana
8. Burundi
Women’s Final ranking
1. Nigeria
2. South Africa
3. Rwanda
4. Kenya
5. Mozambique
6. Algeria
7. Guinea
8. Congo Brazzaville
Nigeria’s Women Beach Volleyball team during National anthem
Nigeria female team were in fine form against home team, Congo Brazzaville after a convincing 3-0 semifinal win in table tennis event of the ongoing African Games in Brazzaville.
The venue of the encounter went into total silence after the final match as the Nigerian ladies jubillate over the hard-earned victory.
Olufunke Oshonaike, Edem Offiong and Cecilia Otu-Akpan were the heroes of the day as they played their hearts out in the encounter which witnessed a lot of intimidation from the home fans with their Chinese imports bowing to the Nigerian.
However, Oshonaike began the rout with an emphatic 3-1 win over Chinese-born Yuheng Li while Edem Offiong was merciless against ageing Han Xing with another 3-1.
The 3-0 bashing was rounded by Edem and Otu-Akpan in doubles but it was not without much efforts from the Nigerians.
Nigerian Women Stuns Home Team, Congo Brazzaville To Hit Final
Even when the match was at 2-2 in the doubles, the Nigerian ladies played with a lot of confidence and this paid off for them with a 3-2 win to give Nigeria 3-0 victory. The win qualified Nigeria for final against their arch-rival, Egypt.
Earlier, Egypt had overcome Algeria easily with a 3-0 bashing.
The finals of the men and women team events hold on Sunday September 13.
Rwanda, Nigeria and South Africa teams were the heroes of day 2 of the Beach Volleyball competition at the 2015 All Africa Games as those teams had stunning victories at both men’s and Women’s competitions at new Kintele Stadium in Brazzaville, Congo on Thursday.
Rwanda Men’s team emerged victorious against Zimbabwe 2-0, while their women counterparts defeated also Zimbabwe in the same score.
Nigerian Men overwhelmed emerging Gambia team 2-0, while their women defeated Congo RD 2-0. South Africa had also double gender victories as their men beat Algeria 2-0 and the women topped Senegal 2-0.
The competition is held in 3 courts at the new Kintele Stadium in Brazzaville, Congo with the participation of 18 men and 16 women teams
The beach Volleyball competition at the 2015 All Africa Games gets underway in the new Kintele Stadium in Brazzaville, Congo on Wednesday with the participation of 18 men and 16 women teams.
The referees And officials
CAVB President Dr Amr Elwani headed the technical meeting of the competition on Tuesday in presence of the Control Committee, officials and team representatives where the participating teams were divided into 4 preliminary Pools in both genders.
The top 2 teams from each of the preliminary pools will qualify to the knockout stage of the competitio known to continue until September 15.
The competition Day 1 features 12 matches in the Men’s category and 7 in the women’s on Wednesday. Programme will start at 14:00 local time.
Men Pools composition:
Pool A: Congo Brazzaville- Sierra Leone- Mauritius- Benin- Burundi
Pool B: South Africa- Algeria- Rwanda- Senegal – Zimbabwe
Pool C: Angola- Nigeria- Mozambique- Gambia
Pool D: Ghana- Tunisia- Kenya- Congo RDC
Women Pools composition
Pool A: Congo Brazzaville- Rwanda- Niger – Zimbabwe
Pool B: Mauritius- Mozambique- Guinea- Benin
Pool C: South Africa- Algeria- Senegal- Uganda
Pool D: Kenya- Nigeria- Sierra Leone- Congo RDC
Seychelles’ second win against Botswana highlighted Day 3 action at Women’s Volleyball competition in All Africa games at Henry Elende Hall in Brazzaville, Congo on Saturday. Egypt went also for second win against hosts Congo Brazzaville, while African giants Senegal rebounded after the opening loss to win the second match against Ghana.
Seychelles fought for 2 hours to clinch a 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23) victory over battling Botswana, while Egypt overcame Congo 3-0 (25-9, 25-6, 25-6). Senegal figured the first victory against Ghana 3-1 (25-16, 18-25, 25-21, 25-23).
Egypt led Pool A at the end of Day 3 with 6 points from 2-0, followed by Seychelles 5 points (2-0), Senegal 4 points (1-1), Ghana 3 points (1-1), Botswana and Congo Brazzaville 0 (0-2).
Egypt celebrating the victory
Egypt v Congo Brazzaville 3-0 (25-9, 25-6, 25-6)
Egypt used all their registered players to outclass host team Congo Brazzaville 3-0 (25-9, 25-6, 25-6) in Pool A of Women’s competition in 52 minutes. The winners dominated the match through their spike service where they had 10-1 advantage in ace services beside another big ratio 9-3 in stuff blocks.
Sara Ahmed led the Egyptian scorers with 10 points followed by Farida Alaskalany 8. Petronie Nkoka led the losers with 7. Egypt improved their win- loss ratio to 2-0, while Congo dropped to 0-2
Senegal v Ghana 3-1 (25-16, 18-25, 25-21, 25-23)
Senegal recovered from the opening defeat against Seychelles to capture their first win against the resurgent Ghana team 3-1 (25-16, 18-25, 25-21, 25-23) in day 3 of Pool A at women’s competition of All Africa Games.
After Senegal won the first set, Ghana returned back aggressively to draw 1-1 before the middle blocker Sokhna Gueye led her team back to win two sets in their way to 3-1 victory. Gueye led her team scorers with 16 points, equal to Fatou Diouf. Gloria Mensah led Ghana’s scorers with 9 points. Senegal’s record became 1-1, while Ghana’s record dropped to 1-1.
Seychelles Attack
Seychelles v Botswana 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23)
Seychelles booked their second win in Pool A of Women’s Volleyball competition at All Africa Games after they took over the solid Botswana team 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23) in a thrilling encounter lasting in 121 minutes. For the second match in a raw Seychelles big gun Marielle Bonne led her team scorers with 19 points to lead also the competition scorers at the end of Day 3. Botswana’s efficient hitter Gasekgonwe led the losers with 19 points in their fighting efforts.
What made the difference in the tight match was the high quality service they played to make an advantage of 8-0 in aces. Seychelles improved to 2-0, while as Botswana dropped to 0-2.
All Africa Games Women’s Volleyball’s best Performances
Top Scorer by Day
Day 1: 17- Leonida Kassya of Kenya v Algeria on September 2
Day 2: 29- Marielle Bonne of Seychelles v Senegal on September 3
Day 3: 19- Marielle Bonne of Botswana v Seychelles on September 5
19- Gasekgonwe of Seychelles v Senegal on September 5
Top Scoring Performances
29- Marielle Bonne of Seychelles v Senegal on September 3
27- Sow Binetou of Senegal v Seychelles on September 3
19- Marielle Bonne of Botswana v Seychelles on September 5
19- Gasekgonwe of Seychelles v Senegal on September 5
17- Tracy Chaba of Botswana v Egypt on September 3
17- Leonida Kassya of Kenya v Algeria on September 2
17- Barilia Marilia of Mozambique v Nigeria on Septeber 2
17- Mercy Promise of Nigeria v Mozambique on Septeber 2
Elwani with Ghana player Mary Addai
Top Individual Serving Performances
6- Marielle Bonne of Seychelles v Senegal on September 3
5- Marielle Bonne of Seychelles v Botswana on September 5
4- Safia Boukhima of Algeria v Kenya on September 2
4- Ibaimo Assiat of Mozambique v Nigeria on September 2
Top Team Serving Performances
12- Seychelles v Senegal on September 3
10- Egypt v Congo on September 5
9- Senegal v Seychelles on September 3
8- Seychelles v Botswana on September 5
8- Senegal v Ghana on September 5
8- Ghana v Senegal on September 5
Top Individual Blocking Performances
6- Stephanie Fotso of Cameroon v Cape Verde on September 3
5- Josphine Andoh of Ghana v Senegal on September 5
5- Sokhna Gueye of Senegal v Seychelles on September 3
5- Joan Chelegat of Kenya v Algeria on September 2
Top Team Blocking Performances
18- Kenya v Algeria on September 2
14- Senegal v Seychelles on September 3
14- Ghana v Senegal on September 5
CAVB President with senegal
Highest Scoring Sets
Day 1: 25-23 Algeria v Kenya (1st Set) on September 2
Day 2: 32-30 Egypt v Botswana (1st set) on September 3
Day 3: 25-23 Senegal v Ghana (4th set) on September 5
25-23 Seychelles v Botswana (4th)
Highest Scoring Matches
Day 1: Kenya v Algeria 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-23) – 180 points
Day 2: Seychelles v Senegal 3-2 (25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 22-25, 18-16) – 215 points
Day 3: Seychelles v Botswana 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23) – 181 points
Nigeria’s 573–man contingent to the 11th All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo departed Nigeria from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Monday.
At the airport to see the contingent off was the Director General, National Sports Commission, Mallam Alhassan Saleh Yakmut, some federation presidents and NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
The contingent consisted of sportsmen and women in 21 sports, as well as technical and administrative officials, including football players of the Senior Women National team, Super Falcons, and the U-23 National Team.
The Super Falcons will play host team Congo-Brazzaville, Tanzania and Cote d’Ivoire in Group A, while the U-23 boys will take on Ghana and Senegal in the men’s Group B that has been depleted by the withdrawal of Egypt.
Team Nigeria departs for Congo Brazaville
The Dream Team, Olympic champions in 1996, will play their first match of the competition on September 9, against Ghana’s Black Meteors, who won Olympic bronze medal in 1992. Hosts Congo-Brazzaville, Sudan, Burkina Faso and Zambia make up the men’s Group A.
The women’s Group B has Cameroon, South Africa and Ghana, also depleted by the withdrawal of Egypt’s senior women team.
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