
Sousse, Tunisia, March 16, 2015 - Egypt giants Ahly defeated Esperance of Tunisia 3-1 (25-19, 24-26, 25-18, 25-19) to win the 2015 edition of the African Men's Club Championship and claim a berth at the FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship, which will take place in Brazil from October 27 to November 1.
By winning the final, Ahly have claimed their 11th continental title, after victories in 1980, 1983, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2011. Sfax of Tunisia are the second most titled African club at a continental level with 6 continental crowns.
Ahly have booked their third World Championship participation, after taking part in 2010 and 2011, and will join hosts Sada Cruzeiro in Belo Horizonte, Brazil from October 27 to November 1.
Final
Ahly (Egypt) v Esperance (Tunisia) 3-1 (25-19, 24-26, 25-18, 25-19)
Ahly's opposite Ahmed Kotb was voted the competition's MVP after leading his team to victory against Esperance (Tunisia) 3-1 (25-19, 24-26, 25-18, 25-19) in a thrilling encounter lasting 101 minutes. Kotb scored an impressive 26 points. Hechem Kaabi was the Tunisian team's best scorer with 11 points.
Ahly started the match using middle blockers for quick attacks from position 3, specially through Abdel Halim Fahim, the competition's tallest player, and Ahmed El Sheikh. After Ahly won the first set, Esperance rebounded in the second set to win it narrowly 26-24, following frequent mistakes in Ahly's backline.
Kotb's spikes from position 2 and 4 and outstanding play from Mohamed Ketat helped Ahly win the final two sets.
Bronze medal match
ESS (Tunisia) v Somoha (Egypt) 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-21)
Etoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia) beat Somoha (Egypt) in the bronze medal match 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-21). Somoha finished fourth in their first appearance in the competition. The Tunisian team led the match throughout only giving Somoha space to breathe in the second set.
Individual Awards
Best Spiker: Lailson Costa (Somoha)
Best Blocker: Marten Costa (Zamalek)
Best Server: Hossam Youssef (Ahly Egypy)
Best Setter: Mahdi Ben Cheikh (Esperance)
Best Receiver: Chokri Jouini (Esperance)
Best Libero: Anouer Touargi (Etoile Sportive du Sahel)
MVP: Ahmed Kotb (Ahly Egypt)
Final Ranking
1. Ahly (Egypt)
2. Esperance (Tunisia)
3. Etoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia)
4. Somoha (Egypt)
5. Zamalek (Egypt)
6. Bourj Bouaririj (Algeria)
7. Ittihad Tangier (Morocco)
8. Setif (Algeria)
9. FAR (Morocco)
10. Ahly Beni Ghazi (Libya)
11. Swehli (Libya)
12. Prisons (Kenya)
13. GSU (Kenya)
14. Espoir Congo RD)
15. Autoridade (Mozambique)
16. AS Douanes (Burkina Faso)
17. FAP (Cameroon)
18. APR (Rwanda)
19. KAVC (Uganda)
20. Support United (Zimbabwe)
21. Al Nahda (Sudan)
22. Nemostars (Uganda)
23. Daim Hamad (Sudan)
24. Atletico (Cape Verde)