Date with history for Nemostars in Tunisia

Nemostars know they have already defied the odds to make this year’s Africa Club Volleyball Championships with near-empty pockets.
But, they have done it many times before, competing in Africa’s premier club event like they belong.

Today is no different as the Ugandan champions confront Libya’s Al Swehly in the quarterfinals in Tunis. This is the second successive edition that Nemo, making their seventh appearance, have reached this level. In 2019, they beat Al-Ittihad in the group stage then lost to Al Ahly Benghazi. Both are Libyan sides.

Nemo would then end up sixth, the best placement by a Ugandan team, but are hoping that familiarity surely breeds contempt. “We know their style and I believe we match this team” says libero Emmanuel Elanyu, who joined the team in 2019.

The Libyans topped group with nine points. Nemo, having travelled without coach Andrew Okapis due to finances, finished second in their group while scratching for finances to pay hotel bills. This week, Lakhani Motors gave them US$1,000 (Shs3.7m) to help sort the bill.

“I know we shall win this game, I have been saying it since we qualified for the quarter final,” 6ft 4in power attacker George Aporu, the captain who is also coaching here, vowed. Victory will mean a semifinal berth, the first by a Ugandan side. The message from club patron Neko Muduse-Ojala is one of hope and not the usual defiance.

“I know even if you lose the quarterfinal you still have a chance to better your record if only you can win your classification games and finish fifth,” remarked ‘Old Coach’ in his daily WhatsApp conversation with the team.  
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