Ahly Win Men’s African Volleyball Club Championship In Style, To Claim A World Champs Ticket

2015 Men’s African Club Championship-Final

Ahly Captain receiving the cup

Egypt giants Ahly added one more title under their name after they won they won the 2015 Men’s African Club Championship following the 3-1 (25-19, 24-26, 25-18, 25-19) victory over Esperance of Tunisia t the Olympic Hall in Sousse, Tunisia on Monday.

Ahly won their 11th title after 1980, 1983, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2011 to strengthen their record ahead of the nearest team Sfax of Tunisia with 6 crowns.

After 2010 and 2011, Ahly booked their third World Championship ticket in the next edition in Brazil October 27 to November 1.

Organizers Etoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia) claimed the bronze medal after they downed Somoha (Egypt) 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-21)

Final
Ahly (Egypt) v Esperance (Tunisia) 3-1 (25-19, 24-26, 25-18, 25-19)

Silver medallists, Esperance

Ahly’s opposite Ahmed Kotb who was eventually selected the competition MVP led his team to top Esperance (Tunisia) 3-1 (25-19, 24-26, 25-18, 25-19) in a thrilling encounter lasting 101 minutes, The team’s opposite scored impressive 26 points that played a great role in the victory. Hechem Kaabi was his team best scorer with 11 points.

Ahly started the match using the middle blockers for quick attacks from position 3 specially Abdel Halim Fahim, the competition tallest player and Ahmed El Sheikh to disturb the Tunisian blockers who fell into ,many mistakes. After Ahly won the first set, Esperance rebounded back in the second set with some substitutions to win the set narrowly 26-24 after frequent mistakes in Ahly’s backline defence.

Ahly came back aggressively with Kotb’s spikes from position 2 and 4 beside the participation of Mohamed Ketat to win two successive sets in the way for 3 sets victory.

Bronze medal match
ESS (Tunisia) v Somoha (Egypt) 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-21)

Bronze Medallists, Etoile Sportive du Sahel

Etoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia) beat Somoha (Egypt) in the bronze medal match 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-21). Etoile won the bronze medal, while Somoha in their first appearance in the competition ended their campaign at the fourth position. The Tunisian team led the match all through and didn’t allow Somoha to come back specially in the second set when they palyed their best in the match.

5th and 6th places:
Zamalek (Egypt) v Ittihad Tangier (Morocco) 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-14)

CAVB President and CC president with the referees

Zamalek of Egypt beat Ittihad Tangier Morocco 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-14) for the 5 and 6 places. The five time African champions finished in the fifth position which is the least in their career.

7th and 8th places
Ittihad Tangier (Morocco) v Setif (Algeria) 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-19)

Ittihad Tangier of Morocco showed their best performance to win Setif of Algeria 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-19) in 7 and 8 places. Tangier becomes the best Moroccan team’s finish in the last 15 years.

9th and 10th places
FAR (Morocco) v Ahly Beni Ghazi (Libya) 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-19)

FAR of Morocco beat Ahly Beni Ghazi (Libya) 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-19) in the 9 -10 places match that showed a great performance from the Moroccan team.

11th and 12th places
Swehli (Libya) v Prisons (Kenya) 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 16-25, 25-21, 15-7

Swehli of Libya beat Prisons Kenya 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 16-25, 25-21, 15-7) in the 11 and 12 positions. After the great opening from the Kenyan team, Swehli came back in the second set and had to come back in the tiebreak with all their skills to win the match.

13th and 14th places
GSU (Kenya) v Espoir (Congo RD) 3-1 (25-22, 26-24, 21-25, 25-22)

GSU (Kenya) beat Espoir (Congo RD) 3-1 (25-22, 26-24, 21-25, 25-22) in 13 and 14 positions after a great match from both sides.

MVP Ahmed Kotb

15th and 16th places
Autoridade (Mozambique) v AS Douanes (Burkina Faso) 3-0 (25-10, 25-22, 25-18)

Autoridade Mozambique beat As Douanes Burkina Faso 3-0 (25-10, 25-22, 25-18) in the 15 and 16 positions in a great match for the winners.

17th and 18th places
FAP (Cameroon) APR ( Rwanda) 3-1 (25-17, 19-25, 25-23, 25-21)

FAP beat APR of Rwanda 3-1 (25-17, 19-25, 25-23, 25-21) in the 17 and 18 positions to finish at their least position in their history.

19th and 20th places
KAVC (Uganda) v Support United (Zimbabwe) 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-14)

KAVC Uganda beat Support United Zimbabwe 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-14) in 19 and 20 positions. The Ugandan team played their best in the competition.

21st and 22nd places
Alnahada (SUD) v Nemostars (UGA) Nemostars withdraw

23rd and 24th places
Atletico Clube (CPV) v (HMD) Daim Hamad (SUD) Atletico withdraw

The Tournament’s best players

Individual Awards
· Best Spiker: Lailson Costa (Somoha)
· Best Blocker: Marten Costa (Zamalek)
· Best Server: Hossam Youssef (Ahly Egypy)
· Best Setter: Mahdi Ben Cheikh (Esperance)
· Best Receiver: Chokri Jouini (Esperance)
· Best Libero: Anouer Touargi (Etoile Sportive du Sahel)
· MVP: Ahmed Kotb (Ahly Egypt)

Winners with the cup

Final Ranking
1. Ahly (Egypt)
2. Esperance (Tunisia)
3. Etoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia)
4. Somoha (Egypt)
5. Zamalek (Egypt)
6. Bourj Bouaririj (Algeria)
7. Ittihad Tangier (Morocco)
8. Setif (Algeria)
9. FAR (Morocco)
10. Ahly Beni Ghazi (Libya)
11. Swehli (Libya)
12. Prisons (Kenya)
13. GSU (Kenya)
14. Espoir Congo RD)
15. Autoridade (Mozambique)
16. AS Douanes (Burkina Faso)
17. FAP (Cameroon)
18. APR (Rwanda)
19. KAVC (Uganda)
20. Support United (Zimbabwe)
21. Al Nahda (Sudan)
22. Nemostars (Uganda)
23. Daim Hamad (Sudan)
24. Atletico (Cape Verde)

Giants Ahly And Esperance Set To Repeat Men’s African Club Volleyball Championship Final

2015 Men’s African Club Championship-Semifinal

Defending champions Esperance of Tunisia and record holders Ahly of Egypt set to repeat 2014 African club championship final when they meet on Monday seeking the 34th edition crown at the Olympic Hall in Sousse, Tunisia.

Esperance took over their rivals Etoile Sportive du Sahel 3-1 (17-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-17) in a semifinal attended by 1500 spectators who were highly excited, mostly supporting their home team Etoile.

Ahly cruised past their compatriot Somoha 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-17) in a match dominated by the winners throughout its action.

Esperance beat Ahly 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-14) for their fourth title last year, as Ahly seek to revenge for their 11th title, while Esperance dream their 5th crown.

Two Tunisian and two Egyptian clubs confirmed their semifinal tickets at the 2015 Men’s African Club championship following the quarterfinal matches held at Olympic and Masaken Halls on Friday.

The final match will start at 17:00 and will be preceded by the bronze medal match between Etoile and Somoha at 14:30. .

The competition acts also as a qualifier for the 2015 FIVB Men’s World Championship in Brazil next October.

Semifinal 1-4
Esperance (TUN) v Etoile du Sahel (TUN) 3-1 (17-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-17)

Ahly (Egypt) v Somoha (Egypt) 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-17)

Ten times Champions Ahly celebrate win against Zamalek

Esperance came from a set behind to win three successive sets in their way to surprise rivals Etoile du Sahel 3-1 (17-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-17) in the semifinal of the competition. Etoile had early dominance through their opposite Marouen Garci and outside hitter Hamza Nagga to win the first set. Esperance rebounded aggressively to win three successive set after the high performance of their blockers. Etoile again tried to return back in the fourth set but their reception was unstable to lose the match 3-1.

Ahly of Egypt played their best to beat their compatriots Somoha 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-17). The winners used the quick attacks through their centers Abdel Halim and Ketat to have early dominance in the first set. Somoha tried to come back in the second set with combinations led by the setter Khalid Elfayoumi using the Brazilian opposite Leison Costa, but Ahly succeeded with win the crucial points in their way to win the most difficult set before Ahly were more motivated to continue to straight sets win.

Play off 5-8

Zamalek (Egypt) v Ittihad Tangier (Morocco) 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 27-25)

Borj Bouaririj (Algeria) v setif ALG 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 26-24)

The VIP tribune,

Zamalek of Egypt beat Ittihad Tangier of Morocco 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 27-25) in Play off 5-8 positions. Although Zamalek players played without a great passion after missing the final 4, they could cntrol the match through their efficient defence and reception.
Borj Bouaririj of Algeria downed their rivals setif in all Algerian face off 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 26-24) completly dominated by the winners.

Play off 9-12
Ahly Beni Ghazi (Libya) v Swehli 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-23)

FAR (Morocco) v Prisons (Kenya) 3-1 (25-16, 30-28, 23-25, 25-17)

Hamza nagga spiking against an Esperance double block

Ahly Beni Ghazi Libya beat Rivals Swehli 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-23) in play off 9-12. Ahly took the matter seriously from the start of the game but Swehli came back late in the third set without actual seriousness.

FAR of Morocco struggled to win against Prisons of Kenya 3-1 (25-16, 30-28, 23-25, 25-17) after a great show specially in the fourth set.

Play off 13-16

Espoir (Congo RD) v Douanes (Burkina Faso) 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 23-25, 25-11)

GSU (Kenya) v Autoridade (Mozambique) 3-1 (22-25, 26-24, 25-22, 25-17)

Espoir of Congo RD overwhelm Douanes of Burkina Faso 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 23-25, 25-11) in 13 to 16 place play off.

GSU Kenya overcame the sluggish start to beat Autoridade Mozambique 3-1 (22-25, 26-24, 25-22, 25-17) after big resistance from Auroridade.

Play off 17 to 20

FAP (Cameroon) v KAVC (Uganda) 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 26-24)

APR (Rwanda) v Support United (Zimbabwe) 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-22)

Referees of the Esperance vs Etoile match

FAP of Cameroon claimed a 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 26-24) victory over KAVC Uganda in Play off 17 to 20 positions. The Cameroonian team was more experienced to finish the job as early as possible.

APR of Rwanda hammered Support United Zimbabwe 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-22) with increasing concentration in the attacks and defence.

Play off 21-24

Nemostars (Uganda) v Daim Hamad (Sudan) 3-2 (25-27, 20-27, 25-13, 25-17, 15-5)

Atletico Clube (Cape Verde) v Alnahada (Sudan) Atletico withdraw

Nemostars of Uganda grabbed a difficult win over Daim Hamad of Sudan 3-2 (25-27, 20-27, 25-13, 25-17, 15-5) in play off 21-24 positions in 2 dramatic hours, while Atletico withdraw in their match against Al Nahada of Sudan due to urgent departure.

Final Schedule on Monday March 16

Etoile supporters

Finals 17- 24 Positions

85—23-24 —(ATL) Atletico Clube (CPV) x (HMD) Daim Hamad (SUD) ——-Atletico withdraw

86—21-22 —(NAH) Alnahada (SUD x (NEM) Nemostars (UGA)———Nemostars withdraw

87—19-20 –9:00—(SUZ) Support Unit (ZIM) x (KAVC) Kampala (UGA)———-Douek

88—17-18 –11:00—(APR) Armée Pat (RWA) x (FAP) F Armées Police (CMR)—Douek

89—15-16 –!3:00—(ATM) Autoridade (MOZ) x (ASD) AS Douanes (BUR)——–Douek

90—13-14 –9:00—-(GSU) G Service Unit (KEN) x (ESP) Club Espoir (COD)——-Masaken

91—11-12 –11:00—(SWE) Swehly Sport (LBA) x (PRI) Prisons (KEN)———–Masaken

92—9-10 –13:00 —(AHB) Ahly Benghazi (LBA) x (FAR) Forces Armées (MAR)—-Masaken

Finals 1-8 Positions

93—7-8 –10:00 —(SET) Etoile Setif (ALG) x (IRT) Ittihad Riadi (MAR)—–Olympic

94—5-6 –12:00 —(BOR) NRBB Arreridj (ALG) x (ZAM) Zamalek (EGY)———–Olympic

95—3-4 –14:30 —(SET) Etoile Setif (ALG) x (SMO) Smouha (EGY)————Olympic

96—1-2 –17:00 —(EST) Espérance (TUN) x (AHE) Ahly Club (EGY)———Olympic

Quarterfinal Lineup Complete At Men’s African Volleyball Club Championship

2015 Men’s African Club Championship- Day 5

Esperance of Tunisia and Setif of Algeria completed the quarterfinal line up at 2015 Men’s African Club championship at the end of the group stage following day 5 matches held at Olympic and Masaken Halls on Thursday.

Esperance and setif joined Hosts Etoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia), Egyptian giants Ahly, Zamalek and new comer Somoha, Algeria’s Borj Bouaririj and Morocco’s Ittihad Tangier who earlier confirmed their quarterfinal tickets earlier on Wednesday.

The last day of the preliminary round showed a surprising victory for Algeria’s Bourg Bouaririj over 10 time champions Ahly of Egypt 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-23)

Tunisia’s Etoile Sportive du Sahel, stayed as the only team to win all their matches without dropping a set so far.

Etoile Du Sahel Pool led Pool A ranking with a win- loss ratio of 5-0 and will be joined by Morocco’s Ittihad Tangier (4-1) to the quarterfinal.

In Pool B Zamalek led with 5-0 followed by Esperance (TUN) 4-1 and joined the top 4, while in Pool C Bourj Bouaririj led with 5-0 followed by Ahly Egypt 4-1. Somoha surprised other teams with 5 consecutive victories in their first appearance at the finals followed by Setif 4-1.

The third and fourth ranked teams will play for the 9 to 16 positions, while the fifth and sixth will battle it out for the 17 to 24 standings.

The competition acts also as a qualifier for the 2015 FIVB Men’s World Championship in Brazil next October.

Ittihad Tangier of Morocco celebrate the third victory over Autoridade of Mozambique

Pool A

Etoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia) v Ittihad Tangier (Morocco) 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-20)

Autoridade (Mozambique) v Douanes (Burkina Faso) 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 18-25, 25-23)

Athletics (Cape Verde) v Daim Hamad (Sudan) 3-1 (25-23, 11-25, 25-20, 25-14)

Etoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia) beat Ittihad Tangier (Morocco) 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-20) to finish pool A matches in the first position with a win- loss ratio of 5-0 followed by the Moroccan team 4-1. The experienced opposite Maruoan Garci played he essential role in the victory and scored 14 points as the match scorer.

Autoridade of Mozambique beat Douanes of Burkina 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 18-25, 25-23) in 92 minutes. After the winners went to 2-0, Douanes came back late to win the third set before Mozambique’s team came back to win the crucial 4th set. Autoridade finished third of the pool with 3-2, while Burkina team dropped to 2-3.

Athletics (Cape Verde) defeated Daim Hamad (Sudan) 3-1 (25-23, 11-25, 25-20, 25-14) in 85 minutes. Outside hitter Miguel Alves played a great role in the victory with his 22 points scored throughout the match. With the victor Atletico finished fifth with 1-4, leaving the Sudanese team at the bottom of the table with 0-5.

Triple block by Esperance against FAR of Morocco

Pool B

Zamalek (Egypt) v FAP (Cameroon) 3-1 (2-1 (21-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-18)

Swehli (Libya) v Alnahda (Sudan) 3-0 (25-10, 25-16, 25-23)

Esperance of Tunisia v FAR of Morocco 3-1 (31-29, 25-13, 27-29, 28-26)

Zamalek of Egypt led pool B at men African Club champs after a 3-1 (2-1 (21-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-18) over FAP of Cameroon. As usual opposite Reda Heikal was his team scorer with 14 points. Zamalek led the pool with 5-0 leaving FAP on the fifth with 1-4.

Swehli (LIB) overpowered Alnahda (Sudan) 3-0 (25-10, 25-16, 25-23) in a fight for 9 to 16 position spot to finish 4th with 2-3 leaving The Sudanese team at 0-5.

Esperance of Tunisia crashed FAR of Morocco 3-1 (31-29, 25-13, 27-29, 28-26) in a thrilling encounter fighting for the pool’s second ticket to the quarterfinal. Esperance qualified as second of the pool with 4-1 while FAR finished fourth with 3-2.

Bourj’s Kerboua serving

Pool C

Bourj Bouaririj (Algeria) v Ahly (EGY) 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-23)

APR (Rwanda) v Espoir (Congo RD) 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-16)

GSU (Kenya) v Nemostar (Uganda) 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-23)

Bourj Bouaririj (Algeria) hammered Ahly (EGY) 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-23) in the pool leader decider. Ahly coach played with the substitutes to allow the dominance of the Algerian team who finished first of Pool C with 5-0, while Ahly came second with 4-1.

APR (Rwanda) overwhelmed Espoir (Congo RD) 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-16) in a match lasting 65 minutes. APR finished 5th with 2-3 as the Espoir came 4th with also 2-3 win loss ratio.

GSU (Kenya) finished the first round in their utmost performance as they cruised past Nemostar (Uganda) 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-23). The Kenyan team came third and Nemostars came 6th.

Somoha

Pool D

Setif (Algeria) v Ahly Benighazi (Libya) 3-1 (25-18, 25-17, 18-25, 25-21)

Somoha (Egypt) v KAVC (Uganda) 3-0 (25-11, 25-21, 25-21)

Prisons (Kenya) v Support (Zimbabwe) 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-21)

Somoha set 5th win against KAVC (Uganda) 3-0 (25-11, 25-21, 25-21) in Pool D to qualify to the quarterfinal in their first appearance at the continental level as top of the pool, while KAVC came 5th with 1-4.

Setif ALG hammered Ahly Beni Ghazi of Libya 3-1 (25-18, 25-17, 18-25, 25-21) to qualify to the quarterfinal as second of the pool.

Prisons (Kenya) beat Support (Zimbabwe) 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-21) in the third place of the pool decider to finish third with 10 points.

KAVC

Quarterfinal Schedule on Friday March 13

Quarter final 1-8 Positions

(ESS) Etoile Du Sahel (TUN)1st A x 2nd D(SET) Etoile Setif (ALG)

(SMO) Smouha (EGY) 1st D x 2nd A(IRT) Ittihad Riadi (MAR)

(ZAM) Zamalek (EGY) 1st B x 2nd C(AHE) Ahly Club (EGY)

(BOR) NRBB Arreridj (ALG) 1st C x 2nd B EST) Espérance (TUN)

Quarter final 9-16 Positions

(ATM) Autoridade (MOZ) 3rd A x 4th D(AHB) Ahly Benghazi (LBA)

(PRI) Prisons (KEN) 3rd D x 4th A(ASD) AS Douanes (BUR)

(FAR) Forces Armées R. (MAR) 3rd B x 4th C(ESP) Club Espoir (COD)

(GSU) G Service Unit (KEN) 3rd C x 4th B(SWE) Swehly Sport (LBA)

Quarter final 17-24 Positions

(ATL) Atletico Clube (CPV) 5th A x 6th D(SUZ) Support Unit (ZIM)

(KAVC) Kampala (UGA)5th D x 6th A(HMD) Daim Hamad (SUD)

(FAP) F Armées Police (CMR)5th B x 6th C(NEM) Nemostars (UGA)

(APR) Armée Pat (RWA) 5th C x 6th B(NAH) Alnahada (SUD)

FIVB VCP Course starts in Uganda

The FIVB VCP Uganda Volleyball Federation, Course for Coaches was opened on Monday morning with 28 coaches registering for the one week event. The event that is taking place at the Uganda Olympics Committee, offices in Lugogo is coordinated by the Federation’s Technical Director Mr Tonny Lakony.

FIVB Coaches Instructor, Mr. Alemayehu Shoatatek is the Director for the 10 days course. “I am happy to be back here again” Said Alemayehu Shoatatek. Alemayehu has been conducting courses in Uganda for the last 24 years. “Uganda is my second home” He added Participants in the course will tackle both technical and organisational approach to the game. They will be examined in three front; Theory, practical and Oral.

UVF President Sadik Nasiwu is impressed by the turn out. “Some of you have been coaching without the qualification but with this course, I expect that you are better coaches for your clubs”. Said Sadik Nasiwu. KAVC’s Shilla Omuriwe, KCCA’s Anthony Ashaba and Sport-S coach Mugisha Benon are among the 28 coaches attending. “I expect at the end of this that the game of Volleyball will grow technically” Nasiwu added.