Kenya Pipeline recorded their second straight victory after they beat Ndejje University of Uganda in clear sets to join Prisons in quarter-finals of the CAVB African Club Championships in Madagascar.
Pipeline, coached by Japheth Munala hit Ndejje 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-16) to earn quarters slot and stay atop in Pool ‘C’ of the competition at Palais des Sports Hall in Antananarivo.
The Ugandan team started the match in their best performance and succeeded to lead until the first technical time out 8-6.
Pipeline returned through the experience of their players especially setter Janet Wanja.
The Kenyan team dominated the match in the second and third sets to win comfortably 3-0.
The victory saw Pipeline improve their win-loss ratio to 2-0 and secure a quarter-final ticket.
Ndejje University dropped to 1-1 but still in course to compete for the second ticket in the pool.
Defending champs Prisons have also qualified for quarter-finals by virtue of winning their first two matches.
The Kenyan teams needed to win their final pool matches which were scheduled for last evening to top respective groups and avoid meeting in the quarters.
Pipeline’s final match was against Burundi’s Les As in Pool ‘C’ while Prisons were drawn against unpredictable GS Petroliers of Algeria in Pool ‘B’.
Other teams that had qualified for quarters by yesterday were Petroliers, Bejaia (Algeria) and APR (Rwanda).
Meanwhile, Les As achieved their first ever victory in the Championship after they defeated Manga Sport (Gabon) 3-1 (20-25, 25-14, 25-10, 25-10) in 81 minutes.
Burundi team rallied from one set deficit to win three successive sets after a rising performance from the whole team.
Les As improved their win- loss ratio to 1-1, while Manga Sport dropped to 0-2.
In Pool ‘A’, Bejaia (Algeria) power past organizer Stef Auto (Madagascar) 3-1 (25-17, 22-25, 25-20, 25-18) in an exciting encounter lasting 97 minutes.
After Bejaia won easily the first set, they committed a lot of mistakes after they led 21-17 losing eight points to allow Stef Auto to draw 1-1.
The victory means Bejaia qualified to quarters accompanied with APR (Rwanda) from Pool ‘A’.
In Pool ‘B’, GS Petroliers (Algeria) beat Kutlwano (Botswana) 3-0 (25-8, 25-14, 25-10) on a day that Prisons achieved their second victory by beating Water Sports of Ethiopia 25-19, 25-16, 25-20.
Forces Army Police (FAP) (Cameroon overcame sluggish start when they lost against Al Ahly in the opening tie and claimed their first victory against AS Tanda (Cote d’Voire) 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-15) in Pool ‘D’ contest.
FAP used skillful service to disturb the Ivorian team and succeeded to put pressure on their defense throughout the match. FAP improved their record to 1-1, while Tanda dropped also to 1-1.
