Wafalme Stars lose again in African Nations Championship
Dennis Omollo of Kenya is blocked by Libya players during their African Nations Championship match in Cairo, Egypt on September 5, 2023.
What you need to know:
- Gideon Tarus’s charges now have to beat Ghana, who have also lost their first two matches to Libya and Cameroon, in their last group match on Wednesday to avoid finishing bottom of Group C.
In Cairo, Egypt
Wafalme Stars have a mountain to climb in Group C of the ongoing African Nations Championship here in Cairo after losing to Libya in straight sets (25-23,25-22,25-12) on Tuesday.
The loss leaves Kenya without a win in two matches and they could now potentially face Egypt or Algeria in the Round of 16 as the two North African countries could finish in the top two positions in Group A.
Like Kenya, Ghana are also winless after losing their first two matches to Libya and Cameroon. Cameroon and Libya are joint top with six points ahead of their match on Wednesday.
Ahmed Ikhbayri of Libya attacks against Kenya during their African Nations Championship match in Cairo, Egypt on September 5, 2023.
Ahmed Ikhbayri led Libya with 18 points (15 kills, 1 block, 2 aces) while outside hitter Mohamed Ikhbayri and middle blocker Anas Alwaddani also reached double digits with 10 points each. Simion Kipkorir replied for Kenya with 11 points (6 kills, 3 blocks, 2 aces) as Dennis Omollo registered 10 points (7 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace).
“We played well in the first two sets but faded in the third one. Our finishing was not good today especially in the first two sets and it has costed us this game," said Kenya coach Gideon Tarus.
Kenya now have to beat Ghana in their last group match on Wednesday to avoid finishing bottom of Group C.
“The Ghana game is a must win for us so that we avoid facing Egypt in Round 16. I think we will make a few changes against Ghana but most importantly we need our players to be consistent with their performances," said Tarus.
“I wish we played enough friendly matches during our preparation because we are trying out different lineups when the tournament has already started. These are things we should have done earlier during the preparation phase," he lamented.
Libya coach Ghazi Koubaa was elated with the win which is key to their plans of advancing further in this competition.
"We watched Kenya against Cameroon yesterday and we were expecting a tough match. They rely so much on the opposite (Abiud Chirchir) and middle blocker (Kipkorir) in attack so we had to make good services and apply pressure through blocks.
"This helped us to control the game and I am happy that we won 3-0. It puts our team in a better situation for the next round and we hope to finish our group matches against Cameroon on a high tomorrow," said Koubaa.
Wafalme Stars coach Gideon Tarus issues instructions during their African Nations Championship match against Libya in Cairo, Egypt on September 5, 2023.
Both teams came into Tuesday’s encounter with an eye on finishing second in the group to find an easier route in the knockout stages. And it’s Libya who started strongly through Ahmed whose kills handed them an early 5-2 lead.
Kipkorir produced two consecutive aces to take Wafalme Stars ahead at 6-5 but it was short-lived as Abu Zariba pulled a monster block on Omollo to restore Libya’s lead at 9-7.
An error in attack from Cornelius Kiplagat saw Libya go further ahead at 14-10 but Kenya soon found a way back into the game through Kipkorir’s kill block on Ahmed to level the scores at 19-19.
It was the Libyan opposite who crowned a three-point rally with a kill for his side to lead 22-19 but Kenya refused to give up. Brian Kamonde blocked Ahmed and Mohamed Alghoul to equalize at 23-23 but the latter delivered the set point from the next rally with a quick sideout through the middle.
Wafalme Stars players Abiud Chirchir and Brian Kamonde celebrate a point during their African Nations Championship match against Libya in Cairo, Egypt on September 5, 2023.
Mohamed Ikhbayri expertly killed an overpass to seal the set at 25-23.
Tarus maintained his first six for the second set that was evenly contested until 15-15. Mohamed Ikhbayri’s side out helped Libya open a two-point lead and when Omollo’s attack flew out of court, the scoreboard read 20-16 in favour of Ghazi Koubaa’s charges.
Tarus introduced Enock Mogeni for Abiud Chirchir and Aggrey Kibungei for Kiplagat yet Libya’s lead stood. Mohamed Ikhbayri won the set point with a brilliant kill and the towering middle blocker Anas Alwaddani, operating at 64 percent efficiency in attack on the night, completed the set at 25-22 with a trademark kill through the middle.
Mogeni started ahead of Abiud Chirchir in the third set as Tarus sought a way back into the game. Libya were the hungrier side once again, racing to a 6-2 lead that forced Tarus to call for a timeout.
Kenya's trio of Abiud Chirchir, Brian Kamonde and Dennis Omollo mount blocks against Libya's Mohamed Ikhbayri during their African Nations Championship match in Cairo, Egypt on September 5, 2023.
Their lead grew to 12-5 when Mogeni’s back row spike went wide. Mohamed Ikhbayri’s pipe silenced the few Kenyan fans in attendance and an ace from Alwaddani drew a second timeout from the Kenyan bench with Libya leading 18-9.
Ahmed provided the match point with a stinging spike from the back row down the line. Substitute Joshua Kimaru’s poor service summed up a disappointing evening for Wafalme Stars.
