Nemostars rally past Sport-S 3-0 in Africa Club Championship placement
Following their heavy Round of 16 defeats, it was imperative for both sides to focus on finishing as high as possible.
Nemostars celebrate. Courtesy photo
Men’s Africa Club Championship
Results
9-6 place play off
Nemostars 3 Sport-S 0
Quarterfinals
Nemostars 1 KPA 3
Sport-S 0 REG 3
Nemostars and Sport-S had to put their disappointment of failing to advance to the quarterfinals of the Men's Africa Club Championship behind them as they battled it out in the 9th-to-16th place playoffs.
Following their heavy Round of 16 defeats, it was imperative for both sides to focus on finishing as high as possible. Nemostars came out positive and raced to an early 25-16 first-set lead, thanks largely to better consistency on the serve with a touch of ingenuity.
The Stars avoided going for spikes at the net and instead looked to damp the ball, which frustrated Sport-S's middle blockers in the first set. Things remained that way for most of the second set as well, which took the sting out of the match.
The two teams looked and played with lethargy, but Sport-S remained active in the set, putting Nemo on the back foot. However, Nemostars eventually broke away and took the set 25-22.
The third set was going to be the hardest for Nemostars, as that is where Sport-S thrive. The Blacks have been very superior in the third set whenever they looked to mount a comeback. Just as they had done in previous sets, they tried to push the envelope, but once Nemo reached the latter part of the set, things became complicated for their opponents as Nemostars secured the match and set 25-23.
As things stand, Sport-S still have a lot to learn, but their first appearance at the continental showpiece is impressive nonetheless.
For a side playing at the championship for the first time with the youngest squad in the tournament, it has been a commendable run. They will now try to avoid further losses as they look to impress in the remaining placement games.