Prisons-clinch-final-quarterfinal-berth-at-African-Club-Championship
The club join defending champions Egypt’s Al Ahly, compatriots Zamalek and Guish, hosts Etoile du Sahel, Esperance from Tunisia, and Algerian outfits Bejaia and Bourj Bou Arririj who had progressed a day earlier.
The quarterfinal matches will be held on Friday following a rest day on Thursday. The winners will earn semifinal slot.
The play offs for ranking positions 9 to 20 will also be played on Friday.
The final day of the preliminary round also featured a crucial victory for Bejaia of Algeria as they beat El Guish 3-1 (25-19, 22-25, 27-25, 26-24) to top Pool D.
Ahly and Zamalek continued their winning ways as they defeated GSU of Kenya and Omni Sport of Côte d’Ivoire respectively in straight sets to lead Pool B and C.
Ahly lead the 21 participating teams in the number of wins with five with Zamalek the only other team to have not dropped a set so far.
Pool A
Borj Bouaririj of Algeria dug deep to pull off a tough 3-1 (25-17, 24-26, 32-30, 25-21) victory over Nigeria’s Sun Shine. The highly motivated Nigerians made the victory very difficult for the Algerians who end the first round on top of Pool A with a win-loss ratio of 4-0. Sunshine dropped to 1-3 to finish fourth and will now play for the 9 to 16 bracket.
Ahly Ben Ghazi of Libya finished their group matches with a valuable 3-1 (25-23, 25-21, 21-25, 25-19) victory over the struggling AS Voara of Madagascar. The victory means the Libyan club finish third with a win-loss ratio of 2-2 while Voara finished at the bottom of the pool with 0-4 record
Pool B
Al Ahly of Egypt made it five victories from five after they overpowered GSU in straight sets. The loss means GSU finish third in the group and will now play for the 9 to 16 positions.
The already qualified Esperance of Tunisia recorded their fourth victory over Rwanda’s APR 3-0 (25-18, 25-10, 25-16). The victory improved their win-loss ratio to 4-1 as they finished second while APR dropped to 2-3 to finish fourth.
Inter Club of Congo Brazzaville ended their Pool B campaign with a first win against Agosto of Angola, a straight sets (25-18, 25-21, 25-17) win securing them fifth in the group with a 4-1 record while Agosto prop up the pool with a 0-5 record.
Pool C
Last year’s runners-up Prisons of Kenya overcame Force Terrestre of Congo RD 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-13) in their last match to clinch the last berth for the quarterfinals as they wrapped up second place in the group. Terrestre finished fourth with 1-3 record to play for the 9 to 16 positions.
Zamalek continued their clean sheet after they achieved a fourth consecutive win, this time over Omni Sport 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-16). The victory cemented the Egyptian club’s place at the top of the group while Omni Sport dropped to 0-4 to finish at the bottom of the pool.
Pool D
Algeria’s Bejaia edged a 3-1 (25-19, 22-25, 27-25, 26-24) victory over El Guish to steal top spot in the pool after both teams secured their berths to the quarterfinal a day earlier on Tuesday.
Mwangaza of Congo RD finished their preliminary round on a high, sealing their first win of the tournament by beating Manga Sport Club of Gabon 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 27-25).
Day 5 Results
Pool A Borj Bouaririj (ALG) x Sun Shine (NGR) 3-1 (25-17, 24-26, 32-30, 25-21)
Ahly Ben Ghazi (LBY) x AS Voara (MAD) 3-1 (25-23, 25-21, 21-25, 25-19)
Pool B
Inter (Congo Brazzaville) x Agosto (ANG) 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-17)
Esperance (TUN) x APR (RWA) 3-0 (25-18, 25-10, 25-16)
Ahly (EGY) x GSU (KEN) 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-14)
Pool C
Prisons (KEN) x F Terrestre (Congo RD) 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-13)
Zamalek (EGY) x Omni Sport (CIV) 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-16)
Pool D
Bejaia (ALG) x El Guish (EGY) 3-1 (25-19, 22-25, 27-25, 26-24)
Mwangaza (Congo RD) x Manga (Gabon) 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 27-25)
Quarterfinal Programme on April 27
Quarterfinal -1-8 Positions
1st A B Bouaririj (ALG) x 2nd D Guish (EGY)
1st D Bejaia (ALG) x 2nd A Etoile du Sahel (TUN)
1st B Ahly (EGY) x 2nd C Prisons (KEN)
1st C Zamalek (EGY) x 2nd B Esperance (TUN)
Quarterfinal 9- 16 Positions
3rd A Ahly Ben Ghazi (LBY) x 4th D Mwangaza (Congo RD)
3rd D FAP (CMR) x 4thA Sun Shine (NGR)
3rd B GSU (KEN) x 4th C F Terrestre (Congo RD)
3rd C Ahly Tripoli (LBY) x 4th B APR (RWA)
Play off 17- 20 Positions
5th A AS Vaora (MAD) x 5th D Manga (Gabon)
5th B Inter (Congo B) x 5th C Omni Sport (CIV)
