They’ve done it again.
In a final marked by relentless pressure and heightened discipline, Zamalek of Egypt emerged victorious following a 3-1 win (29-27, 22-25, 25-20, 25-22) over Egyptian powerhouse Ahly to clinch the 39th Women’s African Volleyball Club Championship in Abuja, Nigeria for the third time in a row.
Both teams were visibly on edge, reacting to even the slightest misstep. The strict penalty policy for every error kept the match tense and emotionally charged.
Ahly initially held the upper hand but faltered at the crucial 22-22 mark, allowing Zamalek to draw level. From there, it was a thrilling back-and-forth battle, culminating in a dramatic 29-27 first set win for Zamalek as they capitalised on Ahly’s mistakes and expertly exploited defensive gaps.
Zamalek came out blazing in the second set, surging to a 5-0 lead as Ahly struggled to regain their focus. Ahly eventually regrouped, scoring consecutive points, including a powerful ace, to close the gap. The intensity escalated with players diving across the court for desperate saves, and explosive spikes igniting the crowd. Zamalek maintained a narrow 6-2 lead early on, but Ahly’s resilience, combined with a dominant performance by Tatyana Bokan, who delivered a powerful hit and a massive block, enabled them to claim the set 25-22.
Stunned by their second-set loss, Zamalek quickly shook it off, entering the third set with renewed determination. They took an early lead and began applying significant pressure on Ahly, disrupting their rhythm. With the score at 19-16, Zamalek’s confidence surged, and a series of unforced errors from Ahly helped them close out the set 25-20.
Zamalek’s blocking game was particularly impressive in the fourth set, posing a fresh challenge for Ahly, who struggled to find an answer. Mariam Metwalli rose to the occasion with a standout performance, unleashing a series of aggressive plays that propelled Zamalek to a 25-22 victory.
With that, they successfully defended their title for the third consecutive time, an extraordinary feat that underscores their dominance in African women’s volleyball.
Zamalek are, without a doubt, worthy champions.
In the closing ceremony, Bouchra Hajij, president of the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB), thanked First Lady Oluremi Tinubu “for her esteemed patronage and remarkable presence at the African Women’s Club Championship.
“Her leadership and unwavering commitment to empowering women through sport elevated this championship and made it truly exceptional.”
“I also wish to sincerely thank the Nigerian Olympic Committee, the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, and the control committee for their excellent organisation and tireless efforts throughout the event.”
“A heartfelt congratulations to Zamalek for claiming the championship title, and deep appreciation to all the participating teams whose performances contributed to a highly competitive and memorable tournament.
“Special thanks go to the Nigerian people and the enthusiastic audience. Your passion and energy created an electric atmosphere and showcased the beauty of African volleyball.
“We are immensely grateful to the Nigeria Customs Volleyball Club for offering world-class facilities and such warm hospitality. Abuja has truly set a new benchmark for hosting continental competitions.
“This championship will be remembered not just for the thrilling matches, but for the spirit of unity, excellence, and inspiration it ignited across our continent,” Hajij said.
Zamalek player Shorouk Fouad expressed her delight at winning the African Championship for the third consecutive time.
“This season’s championship was the most difficult in my career,” Fouad said. “We faced all the top contenders for the title, and Zamalek had the toughest path to the final, but we managed to overcome all the challenges.
“I’m very happy to have received the award for best setter. This recognition is the result of the hard work and collective effort of the entire team. I dedicate this title to our incredible fans who were our true support throughout the tournament. The best is yet to come.”
Hussein Labib, president of Zamalek Sporting Club, extended his congratulations to the team.
Labib praised the team’s remarkable performance both domestically, by winning the Egypt Cup, and continentally, by dominating the African Championship. He emphasised that the achievements “reflect the immense effort and dedication the team has shown throughout the season”.
He also encouraged the players “to continue on the same path of determination and excellence to remain strong contenders for all upcoming local and continental titles”.
Zamalek head coach Ahmed Fathi expressed his joy after guiding the team to the title. “This year’s edition was one of the toughest, given the fierce level of competition and the presence of many strong title contenders, which makes this achievement even more significant. Zamalek’s players delivered heroic performances throughout the tournament. They played exceptionally strong matches and fully earned the championship title with their determination and effort.”
Asharaf Abdel-Aal, the assistant coach, expressed his “immense joy” after the team clinched the title. “I want to thank the entire coaching staff for the tremendous effort they have put in since the start of the tournament until we secured the title. Zamalek’s players delivered a heroic performance throughout the championship. They rose to the occasion and rightfully claimed the title with great merit.”
Nayera Al-Ahmar, a member of Zamalek’s board and head of the club’s delegation in Nigeria, expressed her delight. “The coaching staff and players have exerted tremendous effort from the very beginning of the tournament up until this championship victory. The team truly deserved this achievement. The draw placed Zamalek in a tough group, facing strong, title-contending teams from the group stage through to the final. Despite the challenging journey, we succeeded in reaching our goal and retaining the title for the third year in a row.”
* A version of this article appears in print in the 17 April, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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