WACC2025: Zamalek are African Queens again

Abuja Nigeria, April 13, 2025 – They made it happen; Zamalek is in the volleyball hall of fame after beating Ahly 3-1 (29-27, 22-25, 25-20, 25-22) to win the 39th Women’s African Volleyball Club Championship in Abuja. A title they won in Cairo 2024 and 2023.

With a new initiative to punish every single error both teams could be seen wincing and grumbling at every small movement. The punishment took a toll on Al Ahly as Zamalek leveled 22-22 after trailing behind. It was fast and furious as the teams fought to establish a lead, then tied at 27-27 Al Ahly made a fault and Zamalek continued finding gaps to push ahead for 29-27 set win.

Zamalek came back tough and wild to lead 5-0, Al Ahly seems to lose their concentration and Zamalek nailed through some great kills forcing Al Ahly to call for an early timeout. It was tight afterwards as Al Ahly scored two points in a row. Players were diving across the court to save balls and there was plenty of hard spikes. Zamalek were up 6-2. Zamalek raced ahead and Al Ahly looked defeated. Big hit and a monster block from Tatyana Bokan gave Al Ahly the set win 25-22.

Still shocked from the second set, Zamalek knew that they had to put it behind them and get on positively with the next set. Which they did, taking an early lead and putting much more pressure on the Al Ahly players. With the score at 19-16 confidence were high and a few costly errors from Al Ahly, Zamalek took the set 25-20.

To their credit, Zamalek blocked very well, giving Al Ahly a new challenge that took time to adjust to in the 4th set. Zamalek’s Mariam Metwally went wild to win the set and enthusiastically defended the title they won three consecutively now. Zamalek are worthy champions.

They have now won three times in a row to push their continental tally to 3, Al Ahly though still remains the Record Champions with 10 titles and 13 runners up medal.

Dream Team Women – 39th African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship.

Top Players and Positions:

Outside Hitters (OH):

Mohamed Jihen (#6, CFC)

Bokan Tatjana (#3, AHL)

Middle Blockers (Best Blockers):

Atuka Trizah (#10, KPC)

Abdelmaguid May (#14, AHL)

Opposite (OP):

Eassa Toqaallah (#2, ZMK)

Setter (Best Setters):

Mahmoud Shrouk (#9, ZMK)