11TH JUNIOR
MEN AFRICAN NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tunisia and morocco qualified to World Championship
Nairobi,
Kenya, September 19-: THE semi finals of the 11th Junior Men
African Nations Championships was full of drama as razor sharp
Morocco bundled out defending champions Egypt 3-1 (22-25, 25-22,
25-23, 25-22) sets in the opening match while Tunisia swept past
hosts Kenya 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-13) sets at Moi International
Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Following yesterday’s victories, both Morocco and Tunisia who
have so far not lost a match have qualified to represent Africa
at next year’s World Junior Men Championships which will be
staged in New Delhi India and the final match will be to
determine who the new African Junior Men kings are.
Morocco defeated Egypt
AFTER going down 22-25 to defending champions Egypt in the
opening match of the semi finals, Morocco recovered, gained
their pose and made a dramatic fight back as they went on to
clinch the next three sets and upset the champions 3-1 (22-25,
25-22, 25-23, 25-22) sets.
As if in a hurry to book a ticket for next year’s World Cup
finals, Egypt went for the kill from the word go with A. Ramdan,
A. Safwat and A. Mahy attacking the Moroccans from all angles
bagging in crucial points which eventually saw them led by the
first technical time out.
On their part Morocco was not cowed as they gave as much as they
got and at one point took the lead by the second technical time
out. The crowd was later kept on its feet as the set became a
neck and neck race between the two sides but eventually it was
Egypt who displayed accuracy in spiking and blocking to clinch
the first set 25-22.
Then came the drama. Just when Egypt thought they were destined
to clinch the second set in a similar fashion with efforts from
M. Raouf and M. Ehab who both had a wonderful game, Morocco
technical bench came back for the second set with a new approach
which saw their attackers aiming their spikes at every open
space in the Egyptian court.
The new tactic paid dividends as they lead Egypt up to the first
technical time out after which there was no stopping the
Moroccans who went ahead to clinch the second set with a similar
margin of 25-22 thus giving Egypt their own dose as the crowd
screamed for more action.
Come the third set, Egypt were determined to make things level
as they took the game to Morocco with both teams exchanging
leads at various stages. At this stage Morocco relied heavily on
their height advantage while Egypt used their spiking power to
match their opponents but it was Morocco who had the last laugh
sealing the third set 25-23.
With the crowd on its feet asking for more action, Morocco who
were cheered on by embassy staff led by Moroccan Ambassador to
Kenya came for the fourth set a transformed side as they
improved on their blocks and reception while Egypt fought
gallantly to stay in contention but Morocco proved more superior
taking the set 25-22 thus earning a 3-1 victory.
Tunisia beat the Organizers
JUST as several local newspapers had predicted, the second semi
final match between hosts Kenya and Tunisia turned out to be a
nightmare for Kenya’s coach Michael Ndung’u who failed to
contain the marauding North Africans thus losing 0-3 (19-25,
13-25, 13-25) sets.
Tunisia who’s dropped a point right from the first set when
Saduachi served wide off the court composed them to lead Kenya
up to the first and second technical time out. They raced on to
seal the first set 25-19 as the hosts struggled to stay into the
game.
The second set was no different as Tunisia’s libero Hamzaouni
and Kaabi stood firm with Kenya’s libero Francis Kokonya, John
Kamau, Laban Simiyu and Oduor Odindo trying to put up a strong
fight for the hosts only to find the Tunisian blocks difficult
to penetrate. Tunisia went on to clinch the set 25-13.
Come the third set, Kenya looked beaten from the word go and
despite Tunisia relaxing their game, the hosts failed to take
advantage and fight back allowing the North Africans to lead all
the way before clinching the set with 25-13 to set a final stage
between Morocco and Tunisia.
By Jack Kwemba – Press Officer Kenya Volleyball Federation
CGI
