By Bismarck Mutahi and Oscar Pilipili
Senegal achieved their first victory at the 2010 FIVB World Championship qualifier with a 3-2 (21-25, 22-25 25-20, 25-22, 15-13) victory over Cameroon at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
It was, however, not a stroll in the park for Senegal as they received as much as they gave to their West African sisters.
The third set was the turning point for Senegal who had the last laugh with good net play from Faye Mame Faty and the towering captain Ndiaye Bineta.
It was a set, which the Senegalese had to win to ensure victory and they did not disappoint after having a poor start with Cameroon taking a 2-0 lead.
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At one time in the set, however, it seemed Senegal were keen on throwing away the tie despite a fair 16-13 lead.
The Senegalese were pegged back at 24-19, but they managed to hold their nerve to win 25-20 for a 2-1 score line.
In the fourth set, Cameroon came back a rejuvenated side and supplemented their powerful attacks from Juliet Asta with good defence from Roline Tatchou and Marie Therese Ombassa to keep the Senegalese at bay.
Despite the poor start in the set though Senegal came back and tied it at 18-18 before taking a 20-18 lead.
The set became even tighter with the teams tying at 20-20 and 21-21 before Senegal took a two-point lead at 23-21.
The Senegalese were at 24-22 and they made no mistake as Aminata Gueye's net trick handed them the set, 25-22 for a 2-2 draw to the delight of the pro-Senegal fans at the Kasarani gymnasium.
The tiebreak was a do or die affair before Senegal made schoolgirl errors with uncalled for net serves from Mariame Diagne.
At the change over Cameroon led 8-7 before being denied what they thought was a point by the referee Waleed Abdelsamaad of Egypt.
Cameroon coach Amadou Sene was then forced to call for a time out with Senegal leading 10-8 after Esther Canelle had spiked out.
The time out pep talk bore fruit as they tied the scores at 10-10 before Senegal earned two quick points to lead 12-10.
Today’s fixtures
Tunisia v Senegal 14:00
Cameroon v Kenya 16:00
