Volleyball-Seychelles teams take the exit |06 September 2011

In their third match, the players of coach Julien Onezime were edged 3-2 by host country Mozambique, backed by their loyal fans in the Pavilhão do Maxaquene arena.

Seychelles looked like getting their first group win after taking the first set 25-20, by they lost the second 19-25. After picking up their game in the third set which they won 25-16, Seychelles again let down their guard as they underestimated their opponents in the fourth, losing 20-25.

The fifth and decisive set was a very difficult one for our national selection as the Mozambican supporters did a perfect job of backing up their team.

Captain and setter Nathalie Agnes was even yellow-carded for protesting against the referee’s decision as Seychelles lost the set 16-18.

Despite the team’s poor performance at the Games, coach Onezime was satisfied with what he saw and how the players responded to the many difficulties they encountered.

“My players were tired and stressed out all throughout the tournament and I am satisfied with what they have been able to do at the Games,” he told Sports Nation.

The Seychelles selection, who have finished last in group A behind Kenya, Nigeria and Mozambique, will play Botswana today in the seventh-placed match.

Like the women’s team, the men’s side lost their final group match against Cameroon on Sunday to be knocked out of the tournament.

They lost 0-3 (20-25, 19-25, 20-25) to finish third in the group behind Cameroon and Rwanda.

For his part, coach James Camille said the result is partly due to the absence of some key players. He, however, thanked all the players whom he said played with their hearts and defended the colours of Seychelles with a lot of determination.

“The level of our games was not the very best, but I am satisfied that the players were united and remained focused all throughout the competition,” he added.

If Jude Frederick did not make the trip to Maputo and has been replaced by Jude Lepathy, France-based professional Rodney Ah-Kong has still not turned up in Maputo for the competition despite being selected.

The Seychelles volleyball teams at the competition:
Women’s team: Nathalie Agnes (captain), Sandra Joseph, Flora Lesperance, Terille Songoire, Marielle Bonne, Maya Biong, Kelly Matombé, Tina Agathine, Samantha Eugénie, Virginie Richard, Melina Crispin and Petra Richard. Coach Julien Onezime. Team manager Antoine Lafortune. Men’s team: Jones Mangroo (captain), Paul Rose, Kenneth Sinon, Ricky Vel, Bernard Bijoux, Guilly Bijoux, Benjamin Bijoux,  Percy Riaze, Perrin Sophola, Ian Furneau and Jude Lepathy. Coach James Camille, assistant coach Nichol Lesperance. Team manager Ronald Wong.
Official Derrick Andrew.

Seychelles teams’ results at the competition:
Men
Win against Mozambique 3-0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-19)
Lost to Rwanda 1-3 (29-27, 13-25, 10-25, 27-29)
Lost to Cameroon 0-3 (20-25, 19-25, 20-25)
Women
Lost to Kenya 0-3 (23-25, 25-25, 23-25)
Lost to Nigeria 0-3 (23-25, 21-25, 23-25)
Lost to Mozambique 2-3 (25-20, 19-25, 25-16, 20-15, 16-18)