End of the road for sub-Saharan representative to Africa Club Championship in Cairo

The East African oil merchants put up a spirited fight but gallantly succumbed to the defending champions [Courtesy]

It is an all North Africans finals in this year's Africa Club Championship in Cairo Egypt.

Hosts Al Ahly outclassed the only Sub- Saharan team in the semifinals Kenya Pipeline 3-1 of 25-12, 25-18, 23-25 and 25-20 to book a date with Tunisia's Club Feminine De Catharge (CFC) in the finals.

CFC had earlier made minced meat of GSP of Algeria.

The East African oil merchants put up a spirited fight but gallantly succumbed to the defending champions.

Despite bowing out of the first two positions of the tournament, Pipeline inflected the first ever set loss to Al Ahly since the tournament began.

Speaking after the match, head coach Margaret Indakhala admitted her charges lost honourably to the North Africans.

"The crowd was hostile and coupled with other bottlenecks, I must say we have done exceptionally well. I am proud of the team. We still have a chance for a podium finish if we outdo GSP for position 3 and 4," Indakhala said.

Rookie setter Esther Mutinda and centre player Gladys Ekaru were a joy to watch. The two Kwanthanze high school alumnus radically changed the game for the East African side from set 3, putting the defending champions on toes.

Sharon 'the steel' Chepchumba made an enviable account of herself starring for the industrial area based side in the two sets they soared in points.

Assistant coach Esther Jepkosgei said the team is a resource that will soon be a power to reckon with.

"The young blood has what it takes to ascend to the apex of African volleyball. It is only a matter of time before this becomes a reality," Jepkosgei said.