Uganda ruthless against Burundi ahead of Kenya Clash
Uganda recorded their first win over Burundi to move closer to scooping a 2014 Federation of International Volleyball World Championship slot in the Zone Five Sub Zonal qualifiers at MTN Arena Lugogo on Thursday night.
Burundi won the first set 25-22 with towering serves. However, that service game deserted them during the second set and probably determined the fate in this match.
The Burundians ware never really in the contest during the next two sets of the game, after losing the second on six points and the third on a distant 14. Uganda needed just one opportunity to break them in the decisive fourth set but recurrent service errors by Anthony Ndawula’s side saw rejuvenated Burundi creep back and four tie breakers before Louis Mubangizi a clinical and ruthless power attacker finished them off.
The head coach of Uganda Anthony Ndawula said: “It is really good that we won and we want to maintain this rhythm tomorrow against Kenya.”
His Burundian counterpart was, however, left frustrated after his boys won the first set 25-22 but went on to lose the next three sets 19-25, 11-25, 29-31 to register a loss in their opening game.
“They (Kenya) have played at continental tournaments several times which makes them a very tough side going into the fixture,” Ndawula told Red Pepper online when asked about his opponents for Friday night.
“Yes, the Kenyans play at a higher level than we (Uganda) do but we shall play our hearts out,” forward Mubangizi who managed 17 points for Uganda said in agreement with his coach.
Uganda lost made 16 and lost 39 points on the block scoring 6 serves and making 14 service errors
Meanwhile, Egypt beat Rwanda 3-0 (25-23, 28-26, 31-29) in a tightly contested game at the Amahoro stadium. Both teams automatically qualified for the next phase since Ethiopia and Sudan failed to turn up for the other sub-zonal competition.
Friday’s fixtures: Uganda 3 -1 Burundi (22-25, 25-19, 25-11, 31-29) Kenya 3-0 Tanzania (25-13, 25-21, 25-15)
Friday’s fixtures: Burundi vs Tanzania, 5:00pm, Uganda vs Kenya, 7:30pm at the Lugogo indoor arena.
Line ups:
Uganda:-John Bosco Opendi, Smith Okumu, Saviour Atama, Phillip Wandawa, Dickens Otim (Captain), George Herbert Aporu, Tom Paul Amou, Emma Kato, Jonathan Akugizibwe, Louis Kakooza Mubangizi, Nicholas Dheyonhera and Emma Elanyu.
Burundi:-Patrick Bizimungu, Yvan Dukundane, Briand Mugabowingabo, Jeremie Miniani, Eric Bamporubusa, Sixte Nderagakura (Captain), Pacifique Iradukunda, Oliver Lambert Ntisumbwa, Duc Tresor Ntwari, Donald Beruburundi, Israel Nkamicaniye and Richard Niyongabo.
Referees: 1st Ref: Afred Kutindi (Kenya) and 2nd Ref: Alfred Selengia (Tanzania)
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