Esperance went level with Zamalek after lifting the 2021 CAVB Africa Men’s Club Championship title for the fifth time after the Tunisian giant beat their Egyptian rivals to clinch this year’s trophy.
Esperance overpowered Zamalek with a straight sets victory 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-10) in the final held at Sidi Bousaid Hall in Tunis, Tunisia, on Tuesday.
Zamalek were gunning for a sixth title, but just like Kenya Pipeline who missed the women’s trophy, they will have to wait for another year to try their luck one more time.
It took Esperance nine years to win the trophy that guarantees them a place at this year’s FIVB World Club Championship.
They last won Africa’s biggest inter club competition in 2012. But the latest victory saw them move equal with Zamalek who have five continental title to their name.
The victor’s first trophy came in 1994, then in 1998, 2000 and 2014.
Esperance have now earned the right to represent Africa in the World Club Championship set to be held in Zounzhou, China, later in the year year. The Tunisians become the first CAVB representatives in the global showpiece since compatriots CS Sfaxien in 2013.
Debutants KPA from Kenya finished as the top ranked team from Zone V team having finished fifth. Kenyan champions General Service Unit (GSU), who finished seventh overall, Uganda’s Nemostar, Rwandan duo of Energy Group and APR, Tanzania’s MTC and Rukinzo of Burundi are some of the Zone V teams that graced the event.
Setter Khalid Ben Slimane of Esperance was voted Most Valuable Player.
Individual awards
Best Receiver: Ahmed Youssef – Zamalek (Egypt)
Best Server: Nathan Wounembaina – Swehly (Libya)
Best Attacker: Reda Haikal – Zamalek (Egypt)
Best Blocker: Ahmed Khadi – Esperance (Tunisia)
Best Libero: Saddam Hmissi – Esperance (Tunisia)
Most Valuable Player: Khalid Ben Slimane – Esperance (Tunisia)
2021 Men’s Club African Championship- Ranking
1. Esperance of Tunisia
2. Zamalek of Egypt
3. Swehly of Libya
4. Kelibia of Tunisia
5. Kenya Ports Authority of Kenya
6. Port Douala of Cameroon
7. GSU of Kenya
8. Nemostar of Uganda
9. Rwanda Energy of Rwanda
10. APR of Rwanda
11. Nigeria Customs of Nigeria
12. MTC of Tanzania
13. Espoir of Congo – Kinshasa
14. Rukinzo of Burundi
15. Wolaita Dicha of Ethiopia
16. SOA of Côte d’Ivoire