Kenya Pipeline’s hopes of reaching the final of the Africa Volleyball Club Championships were dashed on Friday night after a hard-fought five-set loss to defending champions Zamalek in Abuja, Nigeria.
The semi-final clash delivered a thrilling contest, with both sides battling fiercely for a spot in the final.
Zamalek took the opening set 25-23, but Pipeline, under the guidance of head coach Geoffrey Omondi, responded with a spirited 28-26 win in the second.
Zamalek dominated the third set with a commanding 25-9 victory, only for Pipeline to bounce back yet again, edging the fourth set 26-24 to level the match and force a decisive fifth set.
In the tense final set, the Egyptians managed to outlast the Kenyans, sealing the match with a 15-12 win to book their place in the final.
Kenya Pipeline, aiming for a record-extending seventh continental title, were also looking to improve on their third-place finish in the previous edition.
They will now contest the third-place playoff on Saturday evening against the loser of the other semi-final between Egypt’s Al Ahly and Tunisia’s Carthage.
