Senegal test for Wafalme Stars in Egypt

The national men’s volleyball team, Wafalme Stars, take on Senegal on Monday, September 11, at 7 p.m. in another classification match at the ongoing CAVB African Nations Championship as the Gideon Tarus-led side fights to finish ninth.

The day’s action will see hosts Egypt play reigning silver medalists Cameroon in the main championship semifinal at 7 p.m. as well in a match that will be preceded by a North African derby between Algeria and Libya at 5 p.m.

Tarus’ charges were eliminated by hosts Egypt in the pre-quarters stage and are looking to fight for a ninth-place finish, the same position the team ranked in 2021 when the championship was hosted in Rwanda.

After falling to the hosts, Wafalme played for a straight-sets victory of 3-0 (26-24, 25-15, 25-23) against Mali in their first classification match played on Friday.

On their part, Senegal lost all three of their group stage matches against Morocco (3-0), Rwanda (3-0), and Gambia (3-2). The side faced off with defending champions Tunisia in the pre-quarters match, going down 3-0 to set up a date with Burundi in the first classification encounter, winning by straight sets.

Eyes on KBF title as Thunder unveil star-studded squad

“The focus will be on good reception, as that sets the pace for the rest of our plays. We have not had a chance to watch Senegal play in this tournament, but we expect a tough match.

From our final training session, the emphasis was on reception and defense and I am confident the players will deliver according to set targets and expectations,” Tarus offered.

A win for Wafalme will see them play in the 9-10 classification match, where they are likely to renew their rivalry with Ghana, who play Gambia today, in a repeat of the group stage clash that ended 3-2 in favour of the East Africans.

Semi final

Algeria vs Libya- 5pm

Egypt vs Cameroon- 7pm

9th to 15th place semis

Ghana vs Gambia- 5pm

Kenya vs Senegal- 7pm