In a match worthy of the grandest volleyball stages, Algeria’s Club Castel defeated Uganda’s Nemostars Volleyball Club in an epic five-set encounter (25-20, 22-25, 14-25, 25-23, 15-10) on Sunday, April 20, 2025, during match 006 of the Men’s African Club Volleyball Championship. Held at the Misurata International Hall, this gripping clash delivered intensity, suspense, and dramatic turnarounds.
A rollercoaster match
Club Castel started strong by taking the first set (25-20), but the Nemostars responded with determination, claiming the next two sets (25-22, 25-14), thanks to solid blocking and aggressive serving. Castel clawed back in the fourth set (25-23) to force a tie-break, which they ultimately dominated (15-10) to seal a hard-fought victory.
Uganda’s statistical dominance didn’t translate into victory
Notably, the Nemostars finished the match with 103 points, two more than Club Castel (101) — a rare occurrence for the losing side. This illustrates their dominance during certain phases of the match, but they fell short in the key moments.
Key stats for Nemostars:
- Successful attacks: 60 (out of 87 attempts)
- Effective blocks: 8
- Aces: 6
- Points from opponent errors: 29
- Top scorer: Daudi (No. 16) – 25 points, including 19 from attacks, 2 blocks, and 4 aces
- Other standout players: Ecil (No. 17) with 19 points and Aprou (No. 13) with 14 points
Key stats for Club Castel:
- Successful attacks: 54 (out of 84 attempts)
- Effective blocks: 10
- Aces: 10 (4 by Dekhiche)
- Points from opponent errors: 29
- Top scorers:
- Dekhiche Abdelhakim (No. 7) – 20 points
- Assane (No. 19) – 17 points
- Boutebba (No. 18) – 14 points
Individual brilliance serving team success
This clash featured two well-prepared teams with standout individual performances. For the Nemostars, the trio Daudi–Ecil–Aprou delivered sharp attacks and solid defensive play. On the Algerian side, Dekhiche played a decisive role in both attack and service, while Assane and Boutebba brought consistency and power.
International officiating and electric atmosphere
The match was officiated by an experienced trio: Esso Mbumteke (Cameroon), Alfred Tabut (Kenya), and Waleed El Kheshen (Egypt) for video challenges. The crowd, particularly energized by the local Libyan support, contributed to an electric and festive atmosphere.
A strong statement moving forward
This victory positions Club Castel favorably in Pool B and sends a strong message to other contenders in the tournament. For the Nemostars, despite the loss, the performance showed they are serious competitors capable of challenging the continent’s top teams.
The 2025 African Club Championship continues to demonstrate that African volleyball has entered a new era — one marked by commitment, high-level technique, and world-class performances.