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2007 Women’s
African Nations Championship
Nairobi,
Kenya, |
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News Teams Results
Standings
Photos Match schedule
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Day Five
Kenya, Algeria, Tunisia and
Egypt
 Nairobi,
Kenya, September 9, 2007-: The Big continental forces Kenya ,
Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt secured the semifinal tickets of the
16th Women’s African Nations Championship after they ended the
preliminary round in the first and second positions of the two
first round pools here at Moi International Sports Centre in
Kasarani, Nairobi- Kenya on Sunday. The semifinal matches on
Monday will feature a classic face of between the continental
big forces Kenya and Egypt who gain the greatest number of
continental victories and another clash between the neighbors
Tunisia and Algeria.
Kenya clinched their fourth victory in a raw and defeated
Algeria in the competition day five to secure the top of Pool A
followed by Algeria, while Tunisia achieved their fourth win
over the stylish Senegal team to pick the top of Pool B followed
by Egypt who ended the first round with a comfortable victory
over Rwanda. In the fourth match of Day Botswana defeated Uganda
in Pool A. Kenya maintained their record of being the only team
to end the first round without conceding a set.
The big fight in this competition will determine the lone
African slot in the prestigious 2007 FIVB World Cup in Japan
next November.
The matches were attended by CAVB President Dr. Amr Elwani,
Algerian Ambassador in Kenya Ali Ben Zarga, Egyptian counselor
in Kenya Yasser Ragab, Vice Chairman of Kenya National Sports
Council Nderitu Gikaria, Treasurer of Kenya National Sports
Council Charles Nyaberi, Chairman of Kenya Basketball Federation
Wesdnga Agina, Chairman of Kenya Athletic Federation Jackson
Tuwei, Control Committee President Mr. Tom Omongole, CAVB
Technical Director Mrs. Howyda Mondy, Kenya volleyball
Federation President Mr. Waithaka Kioni, Kenya vice president
Joseph Tanui and CC members Mr. Jacob Owiti and Mr. Salamba.
CAVB Donations
CAVB President Dr. Amr Elwani made a reception for the head of
delegation of the teams participating in the competition where
he expressed his happiness to the standard of the teams in the
competition which reflects more improvement of the women’s teams
towards the world level. Elwani donated balls and material to
the participating countries from the African Volleyball
Confederation and hoped that the team going to represent Africa
in the 2007 World Cup in Japan to prove their consistency.
Kenya vs. Algeria
Kenya entertained their spectators with another great match as
they beat the All Africa games gold medalists Algeria 3-0
(25-22, 25-22, 25-15) in 88 minutes. Kenya continued their
victories without a defeat with a record of 4-0 and also they
maintain their record of being the only team that ended the
first round without conceding a set.
Algeria playing with all the standing line up dominated the
start of the match through the fast attacks led by the skillful
setter Fatima Oukazi which was served well by the professional
centre Lydia Oloumou so Algeria penetrated the Kenyan block
frequently to lead 8-4 by the first technical time out. Kenya
arranged their block of Jackline Barasa and Brackcides Agala and
succeeded to stop the Algerian attacks and led for the first
time 16-15 at the second technical time out. Kenya performance
progressed with the excited spectators and thus they increased
their activity in attacks through Doris Palanga from position 2
and Catherine Wanjiru from position 4 to win the set 25-22.
The Algerian players were affected by the spectators and this
was reflected to their reception which prevented them from using
their well known attackers. This paved the way for Kenya to lead
8-5 with the activity of the experienced attacker Dorcas Ndasaba
and Palanga. Kenya used also the fast attacks by the net to
continue leading 16-10. Algeria tried to come back to the match
but most of the key players were out of form, so the setter
tried to use the high setting to position 4 which was used
successfully by Dounia Madi and Faiza Tsabet and led to decrease
of the point deficit to 20-17 for Kenya. Again the marvelous
spiker Ndasaba did a good job to end the set to her side 25-22.
Although the Kenyan team decreased their rhythm in the third set
they were still the dominant side through the efficient spikes
of Wanjiru, Ndasaba and Palanga and thus they finished the third
set easily 25-15.
Kenya head coach, Sammy Kirongo stated that his team played less
than their last match against Cameroon and he said that he
played this match in a strategy of preparation to the semifinal
against Egypt. “I used the same line up aginst Algeria but we
didn’t depend today on the centrers but on the wings who did
well today. I’m haoppy to see the new players entering the form
with their coplleague and this will make a good collection of
players before the Olympic qualification.” Kirongo added. He
chooses Palanga and Wanja as his team stars.
The Algerian head coach asked his players to save the power to
the semifinal match because it is difficult to play two
successive matches in the same performance. “I didn’t tell my
players to lose but only I asked them to think of the more
important match against Tunisia in the semifinal. I had a
problem of losing two key players who didn’t join the team
because most of the players were exhausted during the All Africa
Games since less than six weeks.
Egypt vs. Rwanda
Egypt achieved their competition third victory over Rwanda 3-0
(25-7, 25-18, 25-8) in 54 minutes to secure a semifinal slot.
Egypt improved their win- loss ratio to 3-1 to come at the
second position with 7 points behind Tunisia, while Rwanda came
at the bottom of the pool with a record of 0-4 in Pool B.
From the start of the match it was apparent that there is a big
difference between the teams technically so the Egyptian coach
played with half of his standing players and used some bench
players but however Egypt led 8-1 by the spikes of Sherihasn and
Salma Badr. Egypt continued their net dominance by the
experienced blockers and thus they won the set comfortably 25-7.
In the second set Egypt played with a different 6 players in the
field but Rwanda was better in block and defense than the first
set through the middle blockers Uwababyeyi and Iyumva so they
decrease the point deficit to 25-18 by the end of the second
set. The third set went widely as the Egyptian coach played with
another completely different line up and continued their
dominance to win 25-8 after the young attacker Salma Badr did
well in spiking from position 4.
Egypt head coach Hesham Badrawy was playing the match but with
his mind thinking of the semifinal match so he played with all
the players in the list to distribute the effort on his players
before the semifinal. “We are looking forwards to the semifinal
match whatever the opponent because we are working for the
crown.” Badrawy said. “I used today all my players to give them
the experience before the finals. I think they showed their
consistency and good performance although more than half of the
team players are below 18 years.” He added.
Rwanda Head coach Antione Sebalinda was happy with the
participation in the African competition although he lost all
his four matches. “We learned here how high level volleyball is
played and to see this high standard. We also know the
importance of improving our reception and backline defense as an
essential to compete at this level. He added.
Tunisia vs. Senegal
Tunisia continued their victory rhythm and defeated Senegal 3-1
(24-26, 26-24, 25-15, 25-22) in an exciting match lasting 95
minutes. Tunisia raised their record to 4-0 and led Pool A with
8 points, while Senegal dropped to 2-2 and came third in Pool B.
Tunisia started the match in better performance and the head
coach fielded the main line up for this critical match. They
used the good service of Nihel El Ghoul and Hanen Ben Chabane to
lead 8-4. Senegal entered the match thereafter using their big
gun Niane Diouck who scored 29 points with her unstoppable hits
and came as match scorer, so Senegal improved the score from
23-19 for Tunisia to win the set 26-24. Senegal led at the
beginning of the second set 8-7 after the team adjusted their
block of Aminata Ndiaye and Mariam Diagne. Tunisia tried to come
to the match after the participation of the team captain Arabia
Rafrafi who did well in defense and attacks but again Senegal
led 16-11 by the second technical time out. Tunisia improved
their block and backline defense against the Senegalese attacks
and they succeed to bring back the lead until they won the set
narrowly 26-24. in the third set Tunisia players arranged their
block in position 2 through Massarsa and against the strong
rockets of the Senegal star Diouck so they lead 8-4 and then
widened the point deficit to 16-5. Senegal increased their
activity and succeeded to decrease the point deficit but Tunisia
was better in block to end the set 25-15. In the fourth set
Senegal advanced through their adjusted block and led 10-5.
Tunisia quickly returned to their tactical services and the
potent spikes through Nihel and the placing behind the block so
they led 20-15 and finally ended the set 25-22 and won the match
3-1.
Tunisia head coach Lotfi Ben Slimane stated that he wanted to
give rest to some of the main players and to give the chance to
some substitutes like Kaouther Jmai but they didn’t do well so
he was obligated to return back to the main squad.” I returned
back the main line up after losing the first set and thus the
team captain Arbia Rafrafi succeeded to motivate her colleagues
until we returned back to the match and as usual the wing spiker
was the star of the team scoring 23 points.” Lotfi said. “Now we
are thinking of the semifinal whatever the opponent because it
is a one side match.” He added.
Senegal head coach Amadou Sene was receiving congratulations
from all the teams due to the performance that made the team the
black horse of the competition although he lost. “We did our
best in a very difficult situation regarding the preparations to
the competition and the usual financial problems we faced. I
think today the second set was the turn point in the match
because we had to win easily but my players committed many
reception and service mistakes and thereafter we had difficult
situation to play with Bineta as a setter due to injury of the
main setter.” He added
Botswana vs. Uganda
The emerging Botswana team achieved their competition first win
over Uganda 3-0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-19) in 67 minutes. Botswana
improved their record to 1-3, while Uganda dropped to 0-4. The
first set of the match was the most exciting as both team led
through it. Botswana depended on the strong spiker Dipolelo
Nkele who was the match scorer with 17 points and that allowed
her team to lead from the start until Uganda took the rhythm
when they used their left attacker Miriam Nakamanya and allowed
her team to lead 23-19 when Botswana succeed to draw 24-24, then
they won the exciting set 27-25. the second set was also tight
as Botswana depended on the high setting for positions 4 and 2
using the attackers Botshelo Kgogobi and Tsholovelo Retshabile.
Uganda came to the set several times through Prossy Alobo who
was her team scorer with 12 points but finally Botswana won the
set again narrowly 25-23. Botswana dominated the third set and
succeeded to lead constantly through their better defense and
the attacks of Miriam and Prossy to win the set 25-19 and the
match in straight sets.
Although he won his first match the head coach of Botswana team
Carlos Ostafellove was not happy with the performance because
his players play to the level of the opponent.” I want my
players to play with a steady performance whatever the opponent
is, but today they played less than the other matches.” Carlos
said. “Our reception today was less than the other matches and
if we receive as usual we might have an easier victory. In my
opinion Dipolelo and Botshelo were my best players today.” He
added
Uganda Head coach Lokony Tonny was disappointed because he
couldn’t win a set in this match and he referred this to the
overconfidence they gained since their match yesterday against
Algeria. “I’m not happy to lose a set when you are leading 23-19
in the first set but anyhow I think my players got the
experience of playing under pressure and this is the most
important value of continuous participation in the competition”
Tonny added.
Pool Standings
Pool A
Kenya 8 points
Algeria 7 Points
Cameroon 6 points
Botswana 5 points
Uganda 4 points
Pool B
Tunisia 8 points
Egypt 7 points
Senegal 6 points
South Africa 5 points
Rwanda 4 points
Semifinal Programme
Algeria vs. Tunisia
Kenya vs. Egypt
Photo Caption
Dr. Elwani with the Kenyan team before the match.
Senegal star Niane spiking against Tunisia.
Kenyan star Wanjiru spiking against double block of Algeria |
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