11th
African Nations Championships Junior Men- Day two
Morocco defeated the Organizers, Egypt regained the rhythm
Nairobi,
Kenya, September 17-: A WELL drilled Morocco put up a sparkling
performance to hammer hosts Kenya 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-18) sets
in Group A of the 11th African Nations Championships Junior Men
Volleyball Tournament at Moi International Sports Centre indoor
gymnasium yesterday evening.
In Group B, title favorites Tunisia maintained their winning
form when they hit Botswana 3-0 (25-16, 25-4, 25-12) sets while
defending champions Egypt atoned for their lose to Tunisia in
their opening match when they beat Uganda 3-0 (25-17, 25-22,
25-14) sets.
Morocco beats the organizers
AFTER making a flying start with a 3-0 victory over Sudan in
their opening match on Tuesday, hosts Kenya found the going
rough when they fell 0-3 (22-25, 18-25, 18-25) sets to Morocco
in their second match Wednesday.
Following the defeat at the hands of Morocco, Kenya are in a
tight spot since they will pray that Morocco beats Sudan to
enable them book a ticket to the semi finals where they will
have to beat Tunisia on Saturday in order to sail to the finals
and an automatic place in the World Championships set for India
next year since world volleyball governing body, FIVB has given
Africa two slots at the world junior event.
Should Sudan beat Morocco then the pool will be wide open which
will force the organizers to determine the winner and runners-up
by sets in view of the fact that all the three teams will have
won a match and lost a match each.
In yesterday’s match the tall Moroccans completely outplayed the
Kenyans from the opening set that they won 25-22. The North
Africans covered well at the nets coupled with powerful and
accurate spiking where Essedyq Hicham, Waddane Mohammed and
Lankadui Amine were outstanding.
In the second set Kenya attacker and team captain Hosea Melly
and John Ndung’u played their hearts out but their efforts were
not enough to stop the marauding Moroccans from winning the set
25-18 to the disbelief of Kenyans fans that cheered their team
throughout.
Come the third set, Kenya started well winning two quick points
and just when everybody thought they would make a dramatic fight
back, the Moroccans found their rhythm and went on to win 25-18
putting Kenya in a tight situation.
While Kenya relied on power to which did not help them much
considering the fact that the Moroccans were superb in blocks
and reception, the Moroccans took advantage of their heights and
technical superiority to bring down the hosts.
Tunisia continued the winning performance
TITLE favorites Tunisia sent warning signals that they were out
to dethrone Egypt when they outplayed Botswana to win their
second match 3-0 (25-16, 25-4, 25-12) sets yesterday.
The lose meant that Botswana who were on Tuesday beaten 3-0 by
Uganda has bowed out of this year’s tournament which has brought
together seven team.
In the match that Tunisia dominated, Botswana trailed throughout
the three sets as the North Africans proved to be superior in
all departments and it was not a surprise when they went on to
clinch the first set 25-16.
Poor reception and coordination at the net cost Botswana dearly
as Tunisia attackers tormented them at will which saw the North
Africans easily clinch the second set 25-4 and there was no
stopping them in the third and last set which they went on to
win 25-12.
Apart from Tunisia who have now won their two matches, Morocco
who opened with a win against hosts Kenya are among the title
favorites along with defending champions Egypt who lost their
opening match 0-3 to Tunisia.
Egypt regained the rhythm
DEFENDING champions Egypt recovered from their 0-3 lose to
Tunisia in their opening match when they put up a spirited
performance to beat Uganda 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-14) sets in
their second match yesterday.
Having lost to Tunisia in their opening match, Egypt played like
real champions against Uganda as they gave the East African
nation no time to settle in the first set which they won 25-17
with their attackers playing a wonderful game.
The North Africans relaxed in the second set allowing Uganda to
come back in the game which they however went on to win 25-22
but there was no stopping the champions in the third set which
they clinched 25-14.
The Egyptians who were technically superior used their height
advantage and experience to stop the stubborn and much improved
Ugandans who had opened with a 3-0 win against Botswana in their
opening match.
CGI
