Gsu detain nemostars: Paramilitary men beat Ugandan side as Prisons fall to FAP of Cameroon in African contest

BY OSCAR PILIPILI

GSU celebrate winning a past tournament. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO / STANDARD]

After losing their opening match against Ahly Benighazi of Libya, Kenya champions General Service Unit (GSU) recovered to beat Nemostars of Uganda 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-19) in their second match of the CAVB Men’s African Club Championships in Tunisia.

GSU who are aiming to reach the quarter-finals had lost 0-3 (19-25, 15-25, 19-25) against Ahly Benghazi of Libya in their opening match played last Thursday.

Their victory againstUgandan side now brings their win-loss record to 1-1.

The paramilitary men must win all their remaining three matches Mugher Stars of Ethiopia, Port of Cameroon and Tunisia’s Esperance to advance to the quarters.

GSU manager Tobias Wafula said: “The competition is very tough, but with God we can make the quarters.

Nemostars coach Anthony Ndaula said his players have continuously failed to contain reception at the championship.

GSU are drawn in Pool C alongside Nemostars of Uganda, Cement (Ethiopia), FAP (Cameroon), Esperance (Tunisia) and Ahly Benghazi (Libya).

Prisons bid to achieve their second straight victory failed after they went down 1-3 (6-25, 25-21, 16-25, 18-25) against FAP of Cameroon to bring their win-loss record to 1-1.

Prisons trainer Ibrahim Oduor said: “FAP was the better side and deserved to win.”

According to Oduor, FAP’s line-up was strengthened by the presence of six players who are members of Cameroon national team.

“The seven players have been training indoors since Cameroon national team qualified for 2014 World Championships,” he said.

“Prisons did not prepare well considering that most of our training was held on an outdoor court.

“ We only trained on standard facility at Kasarani Safaricom Indoor Arena for few days,” he said.

elusive run

Kenyan men have never won continental club Championships that have remained a preserve of teams from North African.

Winners of the Championships in Tunis qualify for the 2014 World Club Champio ships to be held in Brazil in May 6-11.

Meanwhile, in just a few days yet another club will join the FIVB Men’s Club World Championship line up as Ankara, Turkey gets set to host the Final Four of the CEV Champions League this weekend.

Four European clubs - Halkbank Ankara, Jastrzebski Wegiel, Belogorie Belgorod, Zenit Kazan –– are in the race for the top prize.

The winner will take the title of European champion as well as a ticket to the FIVB Men’s Club World Championship.

Host team Halkbank Ankara are hoping to do the home crowd proud and their coach Radostin Stoytchev is determined to help them get there.

This weekend he will be vying for his fourth title in Europe’s elite competition after seizing three consecutive championships –– from 2009 through to 2011  –– as coach of Italy’s Trentino.