Lome, Togo, June 29, 2012- Host Togo as well as heavy favourites South Africa, Sierra Leone and Burundi secured their tickets to the semifinal of the CAVB Beach Volleyball Junior Cup after they finished at the first and second positions of both the preliminary pools after the opening day of the competition here at Lome Beach in Togo on Friday.
In the women’s category Nigeria and South Africa topped the two pools before the end of the preliminary round and secured semifinal tickets leaving the other two slots for Saturday’s matches.
The competition was opened in presence of guests of honour led by the representant of the Minister of Sports Adjete Da Silveira, the secretary General of the National Olympic Committee Etienne Degboe, the FIVB instructor Prince Agbodjan, CAVB supervisor David Kabre, event supervisor Ali Yaro, CAVB Beach Director Mrs May Alaa, Referee Delegate Hazem El Sherbini, Ass. Referee Delegate Hannington Nsubua, Togo Volleyball Federation President Ayaovi Babanawo.
The competition which acts as a qualifier for the FIVB Beach World Championship features the participation of 8 Men and 9 women teams representing a total of 11 countries.
The top six teams in both men and women competitions book their tickets to the FIVB World Championship to be held in Halifax, Canada August 29 to September 2.
Men’s junior competition
In the men’s category host Togo led pool A with three straight victories having a win- loss ratio of 3-0 ahead of Sierra Leone who finished the pool matches with 2-1 record as second of the pool. Cote d’Ivoire came third (1-2) followed by Gabon (0-3).
South Africa led Pool B with impressive 3-0 record ahead of Rwanda who came second with 2-1 ratio. Ghana finished third of the pool (1-2) before Guinea Conakry (0-3).
Togo duo of Antonine Agbegninou/ Florent Apezoumon rebounded back after losing the first set against the Sierra Leone pairing of Patrick Lombi/ Momodu Samura to win a tough encounter 2-1 (17-21, 24-22, 15-10) in Pool A in the opening day’s most thrilling encounter. They secured another two victories over Gabon and Cote d’Ivoire in straight sets 2-0 to lead the pool.
Sierra Leone pairing of Patrick Lombi/ Momodu Samura rebounded after losing the first match to win afterwards against Gabon and Cote d’Ivoire 2-0 to clinch the other semifinal slot.
Cote d’Ivoire team of Betsallel Kobon/ Andre Adjoua overpowers the struggling Mathieu Mboumba/ Odilon Mabindzou from Gabon 2-0 (23-21, 21-18), but they lost after against Sierra Leone and Togo.
South Africa’s pair Dean Layters/ Steven Van Nelson used their powerful spikes and proper defence to take over the dark horses Burundi’s Briand Mugabowingabo/ Bruce Dukundane 2-0 (21-17, 21-19) in Pool B and continued their winning rhythm to beat Ghana in a tough match 2-1 and Guinea 2-0.
Burundi rebounded in their second match to beat Ghana’s Aaron Djarnie/ Setor Zigah 2-0 (21-16, 21-16) and then Guinea 2-0 (21-9, 21-5).
Ghana has a single win against Guinea 2-0 (21-10, 21-11) in Pool B to finish third ahead of Guinea.
Women’s junior competition
In the women gender the upcoming Sierra Leone, the heavy favourites Rwanda, South Africa and Nigeria set also their first victory in the morning session.
Nigeria came with the experience of Isabela Eyetsonetan/ Jummai Bitrus to hammer Cote d’Ivoire’s Mankan Sidibe/ Cany Koffi 2-0 (21-6, 21-12) and continued their winning rhythm against Guinea Conakry 2-0 (21-9, 21-12) in Pool A
South Africa women follow the footsteps of their men’s counterparts in Pool B as Liezle Petersen/ Brittiny Deelcarme trounced Noran Mangkianda/ Tendai Manyana from Zimbabwe 2-0 (21-10, 21-3) before beating Sierra Leone team of Hawa Kargstarted/ Josephine Sasay 2-0 (21-10, 28-26) and Rwanda also in straight 21-19, 21-13.
Sierra Leone team of Hawa Kargstarted/ Josephine Sasay started the day with 2-0 (21-7, 21-18) win against Gabon’s Dorothee Abessolo/ Marva Badole before losing to South Africa and Rwanda.
Rwanda continued their big show at the international beach level with 2-0 (21-9, 21-6) win for the duo of Denyse Mutatsimpundu/ Charlotte Nzayisenga over Gabon’s Dorothee Abessolo/ Marva Badole before losing to the favourite South Africa.
Pool Ranking
Men’s junior tournament Pool A: Togo 3-0 - Sierra Leone 2-1- Cote d’Ivoire 1-2- Gabon 0-3Pool B: South Africa 3-0 – Burundi 2-1- Ghana 1-2- Guinea Conakry 0-3
Women’s junior tournamentPool A: Nigeria 2-0- Guinea Conakry 2-1- Ghana 1-0 - Cote d’Ivoire 0-3 Pool B: South Africa 3-0- Sierra Leone 2-2- Rwanda 2-1- Gabon 1-1- Zimbabwe 0-2