Confident start
By Oscar Pilipili
Favourites teams won respective opening matches in CAVB Africa Cup of Nations that started at Nazarene University in Nairobi yesterday.
Exuberant Kenyan girls dismissed Nigeria 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-15) after taking 8-5 and 16-7 lead at technical time out in the first set.
Kenyan team functioned like a well-oiled machine in all aspects of the game.
Everline Makuto was devastating on left so was Mercy Moim with powerful right attacks.
Jane Wacu was the toast of the team in the setter’s position and especially in the first set where she saved a point with her characteristic acrobatic skills.
There were pockets of resistance from Nigeria tallest player the 1.82m tall Promise Mercy and Jalmed Ladi who often penetrated Kenyan defence with powerful strikes but captain Bracksides Agala and Lydia Maiyo used their height well to cut them off.
Earlier Cup holders Algeria beat Senegal 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-22) in their opening match.
Senegal started the match on low note and they appeared not to be mentally prepared as they lost many serves and their backcourt defence was porous in the opening set.
They, however, found their composure in the second set where they were able to recover balls and employ efficient blocks. Algeria was superb on rallies where they scored most points.
The third set was a see-saw game with each team playing its best game and this was ostensibly because whereas Senegal wanted to win the set and remain in contention, Algeria were aiming to win and wrap up the contest.
Algeria will, however, have to improve on their ball serve and reception if they want to advance in the tournament whose winners qualify for this year’s FIVB World Cup in Japan.
Tunisia lived up to the billing after they beat Botswana 3-1 (25-18, 25-12, 18-25, 25-18) to record their first victory in the opening day of the event yesterday.
Tunisia, who have a vast experience in such tournaments had an upper hand against Botswana who are an upcoming team.
Tunisia had superior backcourt defence and were accurate in serves unlike Botswana who failed in blocks.