Wafalme Stars headcoach Gideon Tarus in talks with his charges Felix Ogembo and Brian Melly/HANDOUTMiddle blocker Felix Ogembo says Wafalme Stars are determined to apply the lessons learnt at the CAVB Men’s African Nations Volleyball Championship when they face the Democratic Republic of Congo in Thursday’s 9th/10th-place playoff in Tunis.
Ogembo spoke after Kenya swept Chad 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-23) in Wednesday’s 9th-12th classification match to secure a top-10 finish in their maiden appearance at the continental championship.
“This tournament has given us a lot of experience. We have seen where we need to improve, and against DR Congo we want to show that we have learnt from the games we have played,” said Ogembo.
The match against DR Congo is scheduled for 6 pm local time and offers Gideon Tarus’ side an opportunity to improve on the ninth-place finishes recorded at the previous two editions.
Wafalme endured a difficult start to the tournament, losing in straight sets to hosts Tunisia and Ghana in Pool A before going down 3-1 to Algeria in the Round of 16. They responded strongly in the classification phase, sweeping Central African Republic 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-10) on Monday before overcoming Chad.
DR Congo started their campaign in Pool D with defeats by Cameroon and Rwanda before beating the Central African Republic 3-0. Morocco then eliminated them 3-0 in the Round of 16.
Thursday’s encounter will provide Kenya with one final competitive test in a tournament that has exposed the team to the level required to compete among Africa’s established volleyball nations. The 16-team championship is also part of Africa’s qualification pathway for the 2027 FIVB Men’s World Championship and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, Rwanda defeated Nigeria 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-23) in the 5th-8th classification playoffs. In Kampala, Kenya Prisons Women won the NSSF KAVC International Volleyball Tournament after defeating KCCA 3-1, while South Sudan’s Cobra beat Equity Kenya 3-1 in the men’s final.
