The 47th CAVB Men’s African Club Championship (ACC) has set the stage for a tough continental fight after the technical meeting confirmed the group stage draw, placing Uganda’s Nemostars and Sport-S in demanding pools filled with Africa’s elite volleyball clubs.
Nemostars land in a brutal Pool A
Nemostars face a difficult start in Pool A, where they will meet hosts Armee Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) Volleyball Club, last year’s fourth place finishers and early favourites to top the group.
The Ugandan champions also face Petrojet Sporting Club of Egypt, Litto Team Volleyball Club of Cameroon, National Customs Service of Nigeria, and Black Rhinos of Zimbabwe, making Pool A one of the toughest in the competition.
Matches begin on Wednesday, and there is little room for error.
This is Nemostars’ ninth appearance at the continental championship. After finishing 19th last year, they return with changes to the squad and renewed ambition.
Their hopes lean heavily on experience, with Smith Okumu and George Aporu standing out as key figures.
The duo brings eight ACC appearances each more than any other pair in the tournament.
Their leadership will be crucial in a group that includes the hosts and other seasoned sides.
Sport-S face another tough assignment in Pool B
Sport-S also received a challenging draw in Pool B, where they must compete against continental giants Al Ahly of Egypt, last year’s bronze medalists.
They will also face Cameroon Sports Volleyball Club, Rwanda’s Kepler, Kenya’s Equity, and AS Injis of Ivory Coast.
It is a tightly packed group with no easy matches, leaving Sport-S needing strong performances from the start if they are to reach the knockout stage.
Other groups include;
Pool C
FUS Rabat (Morocco), Kenya Ports Authority (Kenya), Wolaitta Dicha (Ethiopia), Prisons Service (Tanzania), Police (Rwanda) and Ghana Army (Ghana)
Pool D
General Service Unit (Kenya), Port Autonome De Douala (Cameroon), Atlético Clube Do Mindelo (Cape Verde), Rukinzo (Burundi), Kalibi Sporting Club (Ghana) and Rwanda Energy Group (Rwanda).
