Maputo, Mozambique, September 6, 2011 - Algeria and Cameroon were both in celebration mode on Tuesday as they qualified for the 2011 All Africa Games final in both the men's and women's categories after coming through their respective semifinal matches at Maxaquene Hall in Maputo, Mozambique.
Cameroon needed a five set marathon to beat Kenya in a thrilling men’s semifinal 3-2 (25-22, 23-25, 25-17, 22-25, 15-8] in what was arguably the match of the day, while Algeria qualified to the men’s final after they cruised past dark horses Rwanda 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 30-28].
In the women’s championship, Cameroon, fifth ranked team at the last African Nations Championship, stunned African champions Kenya 3-1 (24-26, 25-22, 31-29, 25-20), while the Algerian women had the easiest journey as they swept past Nigeria in straight sets (25-16, 25-17, 25-19).
The finals will feature exciting clashes in both genders on Wednesday between Algeria and Cameroon, while the Kenya and Rwanda men's teams will fight for the bronze medal and Nigeria battle Kenya for women’s third and fourth positions.
The semifinal day was attended by CAVB president Dr Amr Elwani, vice-director of the Games organizing committee (COJA) Cesar Penalva, CAVB Vice President Majore Timba, and CAVB officials Mory Keita, Aminata Fofana, Morkinyo Ebenzer, Majid Djirad, Emmanuel Ngoloko and Howyda Mondy.
Men Semifinal 1-4
Cameroon beat Kenya 3-2 (25-22, 23-25, 25-17, 22-25, 15-8]
Nathan Wounembaina and Jean Ndaki guided Cameroon past Kenya in a gruelling five-set match 3-2 (25-22, 23-25, 25-17, 22-25, 15-8] lasting for almost two hours. The outside hitter and the opposite attacker scored most of their team’s points in each of the long sets to qualify to the final for the third time.
Wounembaina led Cameroon with his razor sharp spikes in the first set as he used the skilful combination of the promising setter Ahmed Mbutgam to win 25-22. The second set was more exciting as Kenya deployed their solid block against the Cameroonian attackers and also they used strong spikes from in-form Philip Maiyo to win the set 25-23.
Cameroon started to use their spike service, especially from Zamguim Nongny and Jean Ndaki, to advance in the third set up until 16-9 at the second TTO. Kenya fought back in an effort to save the set but their inconsistent reception allowed Cameroon to win 25-17.
The Kenyan coach Chinje Gideon changed the position of Maiyo from opposite to left attacker and placed Ontere Nyang as opposite as Kenya changed their attacking strategy to allow the middle blockers inot the match, winning the set 25-22m taking the match to tiebreak.
However Wounembaina and Ndaki led the Cameroonian attack in the fifth to break the Kenyan defence and lead their team to the final.
Algeria beat Rwanda 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 30-28]
Algeria sailed past Rwanda in straight sets (25-21, 25-16, 30-28] to clinch a final berth against Cameroon after a great face off, especially in the third set. Rwanda will play Kenya for the bronze medal.
Rwanda started the match with much motivation as they had nothing to lose before the match. They used the talent of opposite Guma Yakan to penetrate the Algerian defense and lead several times before Algeria fell back on their quick attacks through the combinations led by the setter Khaled Kessai to win the set 25-21.
The Algerian players used their spike service efficiently to disturb the Rwandan team in the second and they succeeded in gaining a wide lead to win the set comfortably 25-16.
The Rwandan team reached to their peak performance in the third when they improved their reception and started to build their attacks through their wing spikers. Algeria, knowing that without a change of tactic the side would be taken to a fourth set, improved their blocking and attacking to save four set points from Rwandan team to win the match in straight sets.
Men play off 5-8
Seychelles beat South Africa 3-1 (26-24, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20)
Seychelles outlasted South Africa 3-1 (26-24, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20) in a strong encounter that showed a lot of fluctuation througout.
Seychelles started the match with a better arrangement in attack through left attacker Furneau Fan who sent his sharp spikes from all net positions to allow his team to win the first set 26-24. South Africa came back after adjusting their reception where the experienced setter Gershon Rorich led the team to draw even at 1-1. Again Seychelles deployed their block and started to use their spike services to put a pressure upon the South Africans to win the third and fourth sets.
Seychelles qualified to compete for the 5 and 6 positions leaving South Africa to battle it out for the 7 and 8 standings.
Nigeria beat Mozambique 3-0 (25-10, 25-15, 25-21)
The better performing Nigerian team pulled off a straight sets victory over hosts Mozambique in little time. The Nigerian spike service played a greatest role in the victory as Mozambique failed to get their reception going. Nigeria went through to win the first and second sets after a group of spikes from Ocbonnaya Okoh. Mozambique played well in the third set as they used the relative relaxation in the Nigerian team to lead several times, but the Nigerians fought through their complacency to come back at the end of the set winning critical points to complete a straight sets victory.
Women Semifinal 1-4
Cameroon beat Kenya 3-1 (24-26, 25-22, 31-29, 25-20)
Cameroon came through a hard-fought match against valiant African champions Kenya 3-1 (24-26, 25-22, 31-29, 25-20) in the first semifinal lasting 110 minutes. Rose Rebecca’s swooping spikes from all over the court ultimately gave the Cameroonians a narrow edge in a close match which could have gone Kenya’s way in a match littered with lead changes, hustle plays and long rallies.
The Kenyan team suffered from the improper reception, particularly in the second and third sets, that forced coach David Lungaho to replace most of the standing players with the bench and consequently the unity and harmony of the team decreased.
On the other hand the fifth ranked Cameroon team played with full concentration in defence and fought for each ball throughout the match and through their big guns Rose, Nana Tchoudjang and Roline Tatchou they managed to penetrate the Kenyan block.
The first set was the best for thee Kenyans led by their setter Jane Wacu and the middle blockers Brakcides Khadambi and Diana Khisa as they succeeded to come back several times to win 26-24. The second illustrated great problems in the Kenyan reception which cost them to lose seven direct aces as Cameroon stormed to the set win 25-22. The Kenya coach made a number of substitutions replacing main setter Wacu with Janet Wanja and changing the outside hitters which cost him dearly as they went on to lose the third and fourth set.
Cameroon qualified for their second All Africa Games final in row while Kenya plays for the bronze.
Algeria beat Nigeria 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-19)
The Algeria tight defense and block was the key factor in their victory over Nigeria in the second women's semifinal as libero Salima Hammouche put on a defensive master class against the Nigerian attacks to win the match 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-19) in 66 minutes.
Algeria began with a wide lead in the first set after good combinations from experienced setter Fatima Zahra and spikers Faiza Tsabet and Zohra Bensalem. The Algerian blockers played their best in the second set as Mouni Abderrahim and Lydia Olumou made a solid barrier against the Nigerian attacks to win easily 25-17. The third set was the best for the Nigerians as they improved their defense and used powerful attacks from Mercy Promice and captain Chinyere Onuoha to lead several times but again Algeria regained their dominance at the net to win the set 25-19 and the match in straight.
Women play off 5-8
Senegal beat Seychelles 3-2 (32-34, 25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 15-8]
In a thrilling 5-8 playoff match, Senegal bounced back twice to cruise past Seychelles 3-2 (32-34, 25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 15-8] after a memorable game which lasted 108 minutes.
Seychelles started the match well, winning the first set despite dropping five set points. Senegal came back aggressively to win two successive sets after they used their skillful combinations to lead 2-1. Seychelles came back on time after they arranged their backline defense and deployed their solid block against the Senegalese outside hitters, taking the fourth to draw again at 2-2. Senegal again regained their rhythm to win the tiebreak widely 15-8 and the match 3-2.
Senegal will now play for positions 5 and 6, while Seychelles compete for the 7 and 8 rankings
Botswana beat Mozambique 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-15)
Botswana served up a superb contest to fly past hosts Mozambique 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-15) in 58 minutes. The winners controlled the match throughout, with their better reception and blocking making the difference.
Botswana now challenge Senegal for the 5 to 6 places while Mozambique compete for the last two positions.
Semifinal Results on September 6, 2011
Men
Semifinal 1-4
Cameroon beat Kenya 3-2 (25-22, 23-25, 25-17, 22-25, 15-8]
Algeria v Rwanda 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 30-28]
Play off 5-8
Seychelles v South Africa 3-1 (26-24, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20)
Nigeria v Mozambique 3-0 (25-10, 25-15, 25-21)
Women
Semifinal 1-4
Cameroon v Kenya 3-1 (24-26, 25-22, 31-29, 25-20)
Algeria v Nigeria 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-19)
Play off 5-8
Botswana v Mozambique 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-15)
Senegal v Seychelles 3-2 (32-34, 25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 15-8]
Finals Program on September 7:
Men
Final: Cameroon v Algeria
3-4: Kenya v Rwanda
5-6: Seychelles v Nigeria
7-8: South Africa v Mozambique
Women
Final: Cameroon v Algeria
3-4: Kenya v Nigeria
5-6: Botswana v Senegal
7-8: Mozambique v Seychelles