Team Morocco on Saturday defeated Team Rwanda 2-0 to win the male competition of the 2019 African Nations Beach Volleyball Senior Cup for Men and Women Championships in Abuja.
The pair of Elgraoui Zouheir and Abicha Mohammed beat the Rwandese pair of Olivier Ntagengwa and Kavalo Akumuntu 21-15 21-16 to win the game 2-0.
Morocco’s coach Rachid Bouchdouk later told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) he was happy they won the match, adding that they achieved their goal in the championship.
“I congratulate our opponents. They fought well in the final match. I thank God that we won the match. We are able to dominate beach volleyball in Africa.
“We will now go back home and prepare for other competitions in Cape Verde and the African Games,” he said.
On his part, the coach of Team Rwanda Paul Bitok, said they would also go back and start preparations for the World Championship.
“I thank my players for fighting throughout this competition. It is unfortunate that we did not finish first to win the gold medal, but we still won silver.
“At the last championship, we ended up in the fifth position, but now we are second. We will work hard to finish first in the next edition of the championship.
“I’m happy that we are now second at the level of the continent,” he said.
NAN reports that Team Egypt had earlier beaten Team Mauritius 2-0 in the final match of the female competition at the championships.
In the match, the pair of Daa Elghabshy and Farida Elasklany beat Mauritius’ Bonne Lila and Nathalie Letendie 21-19 21-9.
Speaking after the match, the coach of Team Mauritius, Pascal Ava, said the most important thing was that his team have qualified for the World Cup.
“Egypt are a very strong team, but my players tried their best in the final match. We will go home to prepare for the World Cup,” he said.
On his part, the coach of Team Egypt, Ahmed Abdallah, said their opponents fought well but could not defeat his players in the first set.
“I congratulate my players and country for the victory in the final match, and we will continue to lead in African beach volleyball.
“We came to this championship to play and win the final match, and I’m happy that we achieved our target.
“We will return home to prepare for the competitions ahead of us,” he said.
NAN reports that the African Nations Beach Volleyball Cup Seniors Men and Women Championships was hosted by the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF).
The hosting was in conjunction with the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB).
NAN reports that teams from 21 countries participated in the championships.(NAN)
