Challenge Continues

By   Oscar Pilipili

Tunisia achieved their second straight victory after they defeated Rwanda 3-1 (25-12, 25-14, 16-25, 25-14) as CAVB Africa Cup of Nations entered its second day at Africa Nazarene University gymnasium, Nairobi.

The youthful Rwanda team put up brave show but they could not match experienced Tunisia team.

Diallo Adama of Senegal in action against Botswana, at Nazarene University, yesterday.[PHOTOS:MARTIN MUKANGU/STANDARD]

Senegal recovered on day two to beat Botswana 26-24, 25-10, 25-14 to bring their win-loss record to 1-1 after they lost to Algeria in Pool B on day one of the competition

Meanwhile, Kenyan team who blanked Nigeria 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-15) in their first match, remains out of action for second consecutive day.

The hosts return to the court against Cameroon at 4pm tomorrow.

Lessens Pressure

Coach David Lung’aho praised the team for winning the first match and expressed optimism they would reach the final.

“We appreciate what players did yesterday because winning first match lessens pressure and increases morale of a team.”

The victory against Nigeria has offered us strong foundation in our campaign to win continental title and advance to World Cup,” said Lung’aho.

Slow Down  Momentum

Lung’aho is, whoever, afraid the two-day break could slow down the momentum of the team as he said: “A two-day break is dangerous because it may interfere with rhythm of the team. We’re working on that to ensure it doesn’t affect our players when they meet Cameroon on Saturday.”

On international circles, host Turkey and China remained unbeaten after the second day of the second round of the FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship to book themselves a positions 1-4 semi-final spot in Baskent Sports Hall.

Host Turkey collected their fifth win of the tournament from as many matches after beating Argentina in straight sets, while China beat Germany by similar score lines.

In Pool F, defending champions Brazil kept their semi-final hopes alive by beating Poland in extremis.

World number five Turkey and world number 13 China cannot be surpassed in Pool E while the chase for the semi-final tickets in Pool F is still hard fought as Serbia (5 points), Poland (4) and Brazil (3) still have their chances to finish amongst the two best teams of their second round group.