Wafalme edge DRC to retain ninth place at African Nations Championships

National men’s volleyball team Wafalme Stars, secured a ninth-place finish at the Africa Nations Championships after rallying from a set down to defeat the Democratic Republic of Congo 3–1 (24-26, 27-25, 25-17, 25-23) in a thrilling 9th/10th place play-off match at the El Menzah Stadium Indoor Arena in Tunis, Tunisia on Thursday.

The victory means Wafalme Stars finish in ninth place for the third consecutive championship, matching their outcomes from Cairo in 2023 and Kigali in 2021 and once again falling short of their target for a podium finish.

Kenya opened the match strongly, taking an early 3-0 lead driven by Simon Kipkorir Kosirai’s powerful spike and block, alongside a DR Congo reception error.

Wafalme maintained control through the middle of the first set holding a 17-14 advantage before DR Congo mounted a comeback to level the set at 20-20.

Kenya responded to push ahead 24-21, setting up three set points. However, a late defensive lapse allowed DR Congo to storm back and snatch the opening set 26-24.

The second set featured another tightly contested battle but Kenya held their composure this time to claim a narrow 27-25 win and level the match.

The Gideon Tarus-coached side carried the momentum into the third set as they dominated from start to finish, comfortably taking it 25-17. Kenya then closed out the match with a gritty 25-23 performance in the fourth set.

Tarus fielded an unchanged starting line up from Wednesday’s victory over Chad—featuring Brian Melly, Nicholas Matui, Simon Kipkorir, Peter Kamara, Moses Kamau, and Felix Ogembo—to secure the win.