Carthage demolish Ndejje Elites
Ndejje Elites pose ahead of their loss to Carthage on Friday PHOTOS BY SAMUEL MPOZA
What you need to know:
Ndejje would do little to bounce back against a more organised Carthage side whose services, net defense and ruthless attacks sent shockwaves in the Ndejje team.
Kelibia, Tunisia.
Before playing their first game at the 28th edition of the African Women Volleyball Championship in Kelibia, Ndejje Elites coach Johnson Kawenyera had hinted on avoiding the hosts Carthage and holders Al Ahly.
Kawenyera’s wish wasn’t granted after the technical meeting on Thursday where the draw of the tournament was conducted, Ndejje were drawn against Carthage, ASEC of Ivory Coast and INJS of Cameroon.
To make matters worse, their opening game on Friday was against Carthage who defeated them in straight sets (3-0), to the frustration of Kawenyera.
“I think next time before we come for such a tournament we need to take these players to Europe to watch and get used to white people, they squandered the game simply because they feared their opponents,” he told Daily Monitor.
Kawenyera had gone with Joan Tushemeirwe, Belinda Jepkirui as his receiver attackers, Emma Mwangi as setter, the pair of Sharon Amito and Saidat Nnungi as the middle blockers and Maureen Mwamula as the horse.
His side provided a blend of height and experience to give the Tunisians a run for their money, however, none of the players played could play their game, especially in the first set which the hosts easily won 25-8.
Kawenyera later introduced tried and tested setter Jessica Kaidu much as the team improved in their points as they lost 25-19.
The latter looked too heavy and provided little on net defence and back court cover, where libero Varolyne Aanyu’s performance gave the three time league winners some hope.
Ndejje would do little to bounce back against a more organised Carthage side whose services, net defense and ruthless attacks sent shockwaves in the Ndejje team.
The Ugandans could do nothing to change matters as Carthage sealed the tie with a 25-14 win of the third set.
“The whole team lost concentration, before I could finish correcting one player’s mistake the other was making another funny mistake,” Kawenyera added.
Ndejje’s second game was against ASEC yesterday and by press time, results hadn’t come through, their last group game will be against Cameroon’s Injis on Tuesday.
