Kenya Pipeline stumbled in the 2023 Women’s Africa Club Championship finals after falling to a 3-1 defeat to Egypt’s Zamalek at the Hall Nabeul Arena in Tunisia on Monday
The Paul Gitau-led side lost in sets of 25-22, 18-25, 25-15 and 25-17 to the Egyptians who clinched the championship for the first time in their history.
Pipeline reached their first finals in ten years and were aiming for the African gong for the first time since 2005 but Zamalek’s thirst for a maiden trophy proved stronger.
Zamalek claimed the first set with a score of 25-22 despite a strong start from the Kenyan side. Pipeline bounced back in the second set winning 25-18 to make the score 1-1.
The final two sets were devastating for Pipeline as they suffered from strong saves and shots from the Egyptians.
This was the first defeat for Kenya Pipeline in the competition having won all group stage matches and the knockout fixtures.
The Gitau charges arrived at the finals on the back of a five-set thriller against the hosts’ Carthage in the semifinal while Zamalek beat Algeria’s Mouloudia in the other semi.
Other Kenyan representatives KCB finished fifth in the competitions after a 3-0 victory against Nigeria’s Chief Naval Staff Spikers in the five and six-position play-offs on Monday afternoon.
