Kenya Pipeline extend 18-year wait for African Clubs Championship after Zamalek defeat

VOLLEYBALL Kenya Pipeline extend 18-year wait for African Clubs Championship after Zamalek defeat

Festus Chuma 20:56 - 22.05.2023

Defending champions KCB were eliminated in the round of 16 of the tournament in Tunisia.

Kenya Pipeline settled silver in the 2023 Africa Women's African Clubs Championship in Tunisia after losing the highly contested final against Egyptian giants Zamalek. 

The Oilers, who won bronze last year, lost 3-1 (22-25, 25-18,15-22, 17-25 ) to Zamalek of Egypt in the final of the women’s tournament. 

Zamalek got off to a good start by winning the opening set 25-22 but Pipeline bounced back in the second set to make it 1-1 with a score of 25-18. 

The White Knights maximized their height advantage and won the third set 25-15.

In the fourth set, Pipeline failed to improve on blocks and services and fell 17-25.

Kenya Pipeline coach Paul Gitau retained the same line up that won against Carthage of Tunisia on Saturday.

The Oilers had last featured in the final in 2015 in Egypt when they lost to former champions Al Ahly 3-1. 

Meanwhile, former champions KCB finished fifth after beating Rwanda’s APR 3-0 ( 25-17,25-18,25-14).

 To reach the playoffs’ the Bankers beat Chief Naval Staff Spikers of Nigeria 3-0(25-21,25-18,25-16) in the classification matches.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya's sole representative in the men's category, were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Port Douala of Cameroon.

 The men’s title was won by Moulodia Sportive de Boussalem from Tunisia who beat Zamalek in the finals on Sunday. 

Kenyan international Simon Kosirai Kipkorir who turns for the Tunisian side was was feted as the Best Middle Blocker.