Prisons make semis in Tripoli

By Oscar Pilipili

Kenya Prisons won their second straight match to qualify for semi-finals at CAVB Men’s African Club Championships in Tripoli, Libya.
Prisons, coached by Gideon Chenje, overcame Autoridade Tributaria of Mozambique 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-14) to bag valuable points and remain atop in four-team Pool ‘D’.
Prisons beat Nemo Stars of Uganda 3-1 (25-19, 25-18, 30-32, 25-20) in their opening match.
The warders are leading the pool with four points off two fixtures, followed by Nemo Stars who have reaped three points after honouring two matches.
Prisons are scheduled to play their last preliminary match against AUC today.
Chenje said: “Our target is to go through preliminary round without. “Morale is high in the team and all players are determined to play in the final,” Chenje told FeverPitch on social media on sunday.
About their final preliminary match against AUC who have their two opening matches, Chenje quipped: “Although we’re through to the semis, we want to top our pool.“We’re not going to underrate our opponents just because they are still winless. You understand very well how powerful kicks of dying horse may be,” he quipped.
Nemo Stars pulled off a 3-2 (25-13, 25-27, 26-24, 24-26, 15-8) victory over AUC (Cote d’Ivoire) in other Pool ‘D’ match to remain in contention for semi-final slot.
In Pool ‘A’, Forces Armee Police of Cameroon flew past Nahda (Sudan) 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-14) while Ahli Tripoli (Libya) beat DGNP of Congo Brazaville 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-19).
Hosts Al Ahly Tripoli leads this pool with four points followed by FAP who have same number of points.
In Pool ‘B,’ Club Sportiff Sfaxien of Morocco set second victory after they beat Ahly Beni Ghazi (Libya) 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-13).
The second match of the pool saw Muzinga (Burundi) crush Daim Hamad (Sudan) 3-1 (25-20, 19-25, 27-25, 25-18).
Sfaxien are leading the pool with four points followed by Borj Bou Arririj and Muzinga who also have four points each.
Esperance (Tunisia) continued victory winning rhythm and defeated Delta Spikers (Nigeria) 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-15), while Swehli (Libya) hammered Muger Cement (Ethiopia) 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-9) in Pool ‘C’ matches.
The top two teams in each pool advance to the semi-finals of the tournament that doubles up as qualification round to FIVB World Club Championships to be held in Brazil in October.