Abuja Nigeria, April 6, 2025 – Kenya Pipeline, Zamalek, Al Ahly all marched onto the round of 16 unscratched. The trio collected all 9 points from the group gmes played.
Zamalek too strong for Spiking Stars
Defending Champions, Zamalek registered 100% winning record in Pool B following their 3-0 (25-8, 25-14, 25-11) win over Debutants Spiking Stars of Botswana on Sunday.
Zamalek attacked with purpose and led 8-2 within at the start of the first set. Powerful hits and monster blocks got a run of points for the Egyptians. Zamalek took the set 25-18.
In the second set Zamalek took the first point and a number of errors from Spiking Stars put Zamalek firmly in front. Zamalek led significantly and Spiking Stars had little answer as Zamalek to seal the set 25-14.
Spiking Stars were in trouble early on in the 3rd set again as Zamalek pushed on confidently. Spiking Star made some few points but, in the end, it was a clean 3-0 sweep, the last set 25-11 to Zamalek.
Prisons beat Chief Naval Staff in straight sets
Abuja Nigeria, April 6, 2025 – Prisons Kenya finished their Pool C matches with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-9, 25-16) win over Nigeria’s Chief Naval Staff.
Prisons took an early lead, as Chief Naval Staff made a couple of ball handling errors. More ball handling errors from Chief Naval Staff meant Prisons lengthened their lead and Prisons took the set 25-22.
Prisons came back strong in 2nd set with solid defence and offense. They kept countering with a spike as they found their rhythm and won 25-19.
Chief Naval Staff had to take this crucial 3th set to remain in the game. Both teams fought hard, but Prisons pushed on to win 25-16 and sealed the match it 3-0
Five set thriller makes the difference in Litto, Police game
Litto Team from Cameroon came from two sets down to win 3-2 (19-25, 18-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-9) against Rwanda National Police in pool D.
Some great attacks and defence by Police had them lead slightly. After some incredible rallies that saw both teams attacking, defending, blocking, Police managed to extend their lead. An amazing rally full of spikes, recoveries, defence gave Police final points to seal the set 25-19.
Set two was a much more closely contested set, with both teams exchanging spikes and great defence. Litto Team then established a small lead, but Police were not done yet, eventually taking the set 25-18.
Set three begun as did set two, with Litto Team breaking out to a small lead. Again, Police came back, but it was little too late as Litto Team pulled away to win 25-21.
In the fourth set Police continued their push, eventually leading 15-12 but Litto Team were not done yet! They fought back, point by point, to 17-all, and went on to force a tie breaker winning the 4th set 25-23.
It was all to play in the 5th set, Litto Team looked sharp whiles Police were lackluster, forcing a time out at 10-6, as they ran away to win the set 15-9 and the match 3-2.
Mayo Kane lost to Pre-tournament favorites
CF Carthage completed pool A phases with a resounding 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-15) win over Mayo Kane Evolution.
Carthage controlled the beginning of the set and led after a number of good blocks. Some good super spikes from MKE and they caught up to level, but trailed slightly afterwards. Clever tips, roll-shots and precise serves from CFC surprised MKE and gave Carthage the first set 25-15.
It was a similar pattern in the second set, with Carthage leading the proceedings from the first serve. MKE tried to crawl back with few decent hits but Carthage were too strong for the Cameroonians winning the second set 25-15.
Third set was an easy ride for Carthage ending 25-15.
Al Ahly claim the honor in the battle of supremacy
A masterclass comeback from Al Ahly after coming from behind to claim a 3-2 (23-25, 20-25, 26-24, 25-8, 15-8) victory against championship’s top rivals KCB.
Al Ahly were in trouble early on in the set again as KCB pushed on confidently to open the gap wider. There were good pickups from both teams as they fought for the last few points. It was all big hits and big blocks now from KCB. The Kenyans gathered even more momentum and Al Ahly did not have an answer for the KCB onslaught 25-23.
KCB looked hungrier in the second set and came out scoring with big hits, but also conceded points with unforced errors. They were pumped following a 5-1 lead and went on to score further. Al Ahly clawed back to level and took a lead but was short-lived, Al Ahly were flat and KCB rocketing to a 25-20 win.
Al Ahly found their energy in the beginning of the 3rd set and momentum swung firmly, KCB were left trailing 9-6. Neither can find a way past the other and they continue trading points. Al Ahly made a substitution in the hope it would break the deadlock, but KCB level matters to 10-10. Al Ahly ran away to lead 17-12, KCB looked flat in their attacks and Al Ahly benefitted from three blocks, forcing KCB time out. The Kenyan team were on top of their game, as they tied it 19 all. Al Ahly controlled the rest of the proceedings to win the set 26-24.
In the 4th set, KCB were shattered and destabilized. The rejuvenated Al Ahly side were unstoppable. it was a real showcase of very controlled volleyball as they won it 25-8.
And Al Ahly made the impossible for a KCB comeback winning the tie breaker 15-8.
People can’t get enough of this game as more than 6000 people around the world watched it live, indeed, a match to be remembered for the fans.
Kenya Pipeline Marches On Unbeaten to the Knockouts
If there’s one word to describe Kenya Pipeline, it’s dominant.
They tore through Pool D unbeaten, with their final statement of intent coming in the form of a merciless sweep over Descartes (Ivory Coast): 25-10, 25-05, 25-15. That win followed earlier triumphs against Rwanda National Police and the Litto Team of Cameroon; both won in four sets.
Coach Geoffrey Omondi’s side looks sharp, efficient, and hungry for continental glory. Next up: a knockout duel with Spiking Stars (Botswana), who snuck into the last 16 as Pool B’s fourth-best side.
APR adds more salt to Customs woes
Host Nigeria Customs fell short in the hands of APR of Rwanda in front of home fans as the Rwandans ran away with a 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-16) win over them.
APR looked to solidify their spot in pool B, and did so convincingly in their match against NCS. Set one was all APR.
Consistent serves and strong hits – it seemed that NCS was simply stuck in a rotation that wasn’t working against the APR rotation. APR took the set 25-10.
APR opened the scoring with a pounding cross-court spike in the second set. NCS felt the pressure as APR broke away to lead. Two successive monster blocks kept NCS in the set at a critical time when APR were pulling away. Good blocking from both sides prevented many major spikes until a couple of errors from NCS gave APR the advantage and they ended the set strong 25-17.
This is a momentum game and APR wrestled it back into their favor. Block after block, point after point they dominated to lead16-11. NCS closed the gap, however, couldn’t secure the last points and APR won 25-16.
Table after Preliminary Rounds.
