CAVB Men’s African Club Championship | Group A | Sunday April 26
- Nemostars 3-0 Black Rhinos
[25-23, 25-19, 25-14]
Coming off a disappointment against hosts APR, Nemostars Volleyball Club responded with purpose and control, defeating Zimbabwe’s Black Rhinos 3-0 to secure their third group victory at the 47th CAVB Men’s Africa Club Championship at Petit Stade in Kigali.
It was a match that demanded a reaction, and Nemostars delivered one built on composure and smart game management, led by setter Smith Okumu whose influence grew as the contest unfolded.
The opening set began with a bold decision from the bench, as youngster Hussein Adome was trusted to start ahead of Okumu.
Nemostars looked sharp early, with Daudi Okello’s service producing two aces to open a 10-4 lead.
But Black Rhinos fought back, closing the gap and pushing the Ugandans to the edge before Nemostars held firm to take the set 25-23.
With the match still in the balance, Okumu was introduced in the second set and the shift was clear.
His calm distribution steadied the team and stretched the Rhinos’ defense, allowing Nemostars to find better attacking options.
The Ugandan side took control late in the set, pulling away to win 25-19 and move within one set of victory.
By the third set, Nemostars were in command. They raced into a 9-3 lead, forcing an early timeout, with disciplined net coverage limiting Black Rhinos’ attacking chances.
The control from the second set carried through, and Nemostars closed out the match in straight sets.
The win lifted them back on track in Pool A, where they have shown consistency despite the earlier loss to APR.
It also showed the value of experience, with Okumu’s late impact guiding the team through a potentially tricky contest.
Nemostars now head into their final group match against Litto Volleyball Club looking to maintain momentum and finish strong.
