Zamalek twice rallied from behind to stun Al Ahly 3-2 in the fiercely contested all-Egyptian match
Zamalek will now represent Africa at this year’s FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in December
Kenya Pipeline claimed the bronze medal with a 3-1 win over rivals KCB in an all-Kenyan third-place game
Zamalek produced a remarkable comeback against rivals Al Ahly to successfully defend their African Club Championship title on Saturday night.
Zamalek, who had won their first ever title in last year’s edition held in Tunisia, twice rallied from behind to stun Al Ahly 3-2 (27-29, 25-18, 13-25, 25-21, 15-13) in the fiercely contested Cairo derby played at a fully packed Al Ahly Sports Hall.
Zamalek fans cheer for their team during the final of the 37th Women’s African Club (Photo credits: Zamalek)
It was a stunning win for Zamalek who had lost out to Al Ahly in all local competitions this season, including the Egyptian Premier League, Egyptian Cup and Egyptian Super Cup.
Having claimed the gold medal, Zamalek will now represent Africa at this year’s FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship which will take place in December.
On route to the final, Zamalek defeated the 2022 champions KCB in the semi-final, in a 3-1 (22-25, 25-12, 25-11, 25-21) showdown. Fellow finalists Al Ahly had beaten Kenya Pipeline 3-1 (25-15, 19-25, 25-18, 25-12) to ensure an all-Egyptian team final.
Kenya Pipeline claimed the bronze medal with a 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-16) win over rivals KCB in the third place playoff.
The Dream Team of the 37th Women’s African Club Championship held in Cairo, Egypt with the CAVB President Bouchra Hajij (Photo credits: CAVB)
The back-to-back gold medallists Zamalek dominated the Dream Team with outside hitter Mariam Metwally emerging as the Most Valuable Player. Her teammates Dana Emam and Milca Lubieska da Silva were named best setter and best outside hitter respectively.
Al Ahly’s trio of Aya Ahmed, Tatjana Bokan and Nada Essa made the cut as second best middle blocker, second best outside hitter and best libero respectively.
Kenya Pipeline’s Trizah Atuka was named the best middle blocker while KCB’s Debrah Jesang completed the Dream Team as best opposite.