Volleyball: FIVB Men’s World Championship |07 March 2014

Seychelles lose to Tunisia

Seychelles could not match favourites Tunisia who proved to be too strong for them with a 3-0 win on Wednesday to extend their win run to three games.

In their second match of the 2014 Men’s World Championships pool V African qualifiers at the Palais des Sports Hall in Tunis, Tunisia, on Wednesday night, the Seychelles team knew they had a tough game against the hosts who had already won their previous two games.

Coached by François Ally, the Seychelles team, who surprised Senegal 3-1 (25-16, 18-25, 25-22, 25-19) in their first match on Monday, lost 0-3 (19-25, 10-25, 16-25) to the Tunisians who are looking to qualify for the worlds for the seventh time.

Only the group winners will qualify for the World Championships in Poland from August 30 to September 21. Cameroon and Egypt have already taken the other two African tickets to the worlds.

Hosts Tunisia recorded their other wins against Niger 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-12) and Senegal 3-0 (25-16, 25-7, 25-17). They are yet to drop a set in three games for a win-lose record of 3-0.

Congo Brazzaville, who recorded their second victory by beating Senegal 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-16), are chasing the Tunisians for the last African ticket at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Poland 2014.

Tunisia lead the five-nation round robin tournament with a win-loss ratio of 3-0 (9 points), followed by Congo Brazzaville 2-0 (5 points), Seychelles third 1-1 (3 points), Niger fourth 0-2 (1 point) and Senegal fifth 0-3 (0 point).

Reports from Tunis say Tunisia cruised to a 69-minute win over Seychelles with veteran stars Noureddine Hfaiedh and Marouen Garci leading the scorers with 13 points apiece.

Seychelles’ dreadlocked attacker and captain Guy Valentin led his team scorers with 13 points.

The first set was the most competitive, adds the report as the Seychelles team succeeded to work well with their blocking with the help of setter Jones Mangroo. Tunisia led 16-14 until the second technical time-out before they improved the speed of their game to win the set 25-19.

In the second and third sets, the Seychelles team lost their concentration allowing Tunisia to take the lead and win 25-10 and 25-16.

The players of coach François Ally were in action again yesterday against Congo Brazzaville and will meet Niger today in their final group match.