Sfax of Tunisia
The win earned them a place in October’s 2013 FIVB World Championship in Brazil.
Sfax improved their record in the top African club competition to six trophies, second only to Egyptian club Ahly’s 10 trophies.
Al Ahly Tripoli secured the bronze medal after beating Prisons (Kenya) 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-16) in the third-place match.
FAP clinched fifth position as they edged Ahli Benighazi of Libya 3-2 (25-20, 21-25, 25-21, 24-26, 18-16).
Swehli (Libya) finished in seventh position as they overcame Autoridade Tributaria (Mozambique) 3-1 (25-12, 25-11, 22-25, 25-17).
The exciting final saw Esperance gain the upper hand in the first set, using the efficient spikes of Saleh Fathy and the blocking of Bilel Benhassine. Sfax came back strongly through their experienced spiker Noureddine Hfaidh to win the second set 25-22 and then the third by a wider margin of 25-15. The fourth set was the most exciting as Esperance saved three match points to win the set 29-27 and even the scores thanks to the leadership of experienced setter Mehdi Ben Sheikh. The tiebreak was again controlled by the experience of the Sfax players and they took it 15-12.
Individual prizes
MVP: Noureddine Hfaedh (Sfax)
Best spiker: Fuad Elmaarug (Ahli Tripoli).
Best blocker: Mohamed Salama (Ahli Benighazi)
Best Server: Daniel (Prisons)
Best Receiver: Saleh Fathy (Esperance)
Best Setter: Mehdi Ben Sheikh (Esperance)
Best Libero: Anouar Taouarghi (Sfax)
Final Standings
1. Sfax (Tunisia)
2. Esperance (Tunisia)
3. Ahli Tripoli (Libya)
4. Prisons (Kenya)
5. FAP (Cameroon)
6. Ahly Benighazi (Libya)
7. Swehli (Libya)
8. Autoridade Tributaria (Mozambique)
9. Bourj Bouaririj (Algeria)
10. Delta Spikers (Nigeria)
11. Nemostars (Uganda)
12. Alnahda (Sudan)
13. AUC (Ivory Coast)
14. Muger Cement (Ethiopia)
15. Muzinga (Burundi)
16. DGSP (Congo Brazzaville)
17. Daim Mahad (Sudan)
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