Gambia and Senegal shine at sub-zonal Continental Cup tournament in Dakar

Gambia's women claimed four victories against hosts Senegal

Dakar, Senegal, January 25, 2015 - Gambia's women and Senegal's men claimed honours at the CAVB Beach Volleyball Zone 2 Pool 2 Sub-Zonal Phase Continental Cup tournament on Dakar's Damalaithe beach.

Senegal's men's defeated newcomers Gambia 3-1 on the opening day of the tournament, after their female counterparts lost against the same country in the women's category.

The Zone 2 Pool 2 Sub-Zonal Phase featured three of the four countries billed to participate in the men's tournament, namely Cape Verde, Gambia and hosts Senegal. Mauritania were unable to attend.

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In the women's category, Cape Verde did not present a team, which automatically qualified Gambia and Senegal to the next phase. The two sides met in a ranking match, where Gambian pairs Sawaneh/Kujabi and  Cessay/Tambedou surprised the hosts Senegal to win their 4 matches.

The young Gambian beach volleyball players emerged from a re-energised national federation, that has recently changed its leadership. The win was celebrated joyously as it came after stern opposition from the locals.

The men's matches again showed how ambitious the Gambians were, with Jammeh/Jarra and Barry/Njie claiming first set wins. An injury to Jammeh almost caused them a forfeit, but the pair's resilience coupled with a strong winning mentality raised their ratios. Senegal finally won 3-1 over 4 matches.

Gambia then overcame Cape Verde 3-1 in their 4 matches. The islanders lost to the exuberance of the up-and-coming Gambian talents.

Senegal will now take on Cape Verde in the final match of the pool, to determine the two qualifiers for the second regional phase.

The top two teams from each of the sub-zonal pools will proceed to the second phase.

The competition in Senegal is supervised by FIVB Beach Volleyball Commission Member and Sierra Leone General Secretary Ahmed Khanou, with Algerian FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Djamal Berghueul as Referee Delegate and Aida Hilla  from Tunisia acting as referee.

Men's results

Senegal v Gambia
Match 1               Senegal 1 v Gambia 2: 2-0 (21-14, 21-17)
Match 2               Gambia 1 v Senegal 2: 2-1 (21-17, 17-21, 15-10)
Match 3               Senegal 1 v Gambia 1: 2-1 (19-21, 21-19, 15-13)
Match 4               Senegal 2 v Gambia 2: 2-1 (16-21, 21-17, 15-11)

Gambia v Cape Verde
Match 5               Gambia 1 v Cape Verde 2: 2-1 (21-19, 21-23, 15-10)
Match 6               Cape Verde 1 v Gambia 2: 2-1 (18-21, 21-17, 15-5)
Match 7               Gambia 1 v Cape Verde 1: 2-0 (21-16, 21-12)
Match 8               Gambia 2 v Cape Verde 2: 2-1 (21-23, 21-17, 15-9)

Women's results

Senegal v Gambia
Match 1               Gambia 2 v Senegal 1: 2-0 (21-17, 25-23)
Match 2               Gambia 1 v Senegal 2: 2-0 (21-7, 21-06)
Match 3               Gambia 1 v Senegal 1: 2-1 (21-18, 11-21, 15-9)
Match 4               Gambia 2 v Senegal 2: 2-0 (22-20, 21-10)

By: Editor