During the Round of 16 of the 2025 African Volleyball Club Championship, held at the Misurata International Hall, WAT Tlemcen (ALG) demonstrated exemplary resilience to defeat a solid team from Port Autonome de Douala Volleyball (CMR). Although the Algerians lost the first set, they managed to turn the situation around and secured victory in four sets (22–25, 25–21, 25–19, 25–19) after an intense match lasting 1 hour and 42 minutes.
Growing Algerian Dominance
From the outset, Radji Malek’s players showed great character. With increasingly precise attacking plays, WAT Tlemcen recorded 54 attack points from 85 attempts, compared to 39 points for Douala from 82 attacks.
Individual performances played a crucial role in the Algerian victory:
- Moubarak stood out as the top scorer of the match with 25 points (51 attempts).
- He was followed by Bouabdellah with 11 points, and N Tizti, who contributed 7 essential points.
Defensively, WAT Tlemcen also excelled:
- 8 points won through blocks (compared to only 3 for Douala).
- 2 points directly earned from serves, showcasing their aggressiveness during service phases.
Moreover, the team capitalized on 18 opponent errors, illustrating their ability to force mistakes under pressure.
A Brave but Limited Port Autonome de Douala
Despite a promising start, the Cameroonians from Port Autonome de Douala could not maintain their rhythm throughout the match. The trio of Mbahiilamen (17 points), Sadam (11 points), and Wampo Cédric (9 points) tried to remain competitive, but inefficiency in attack and a fragile defense heavily impacted the final outcome.
By securing this decisive victory, WAT Tlemcen not only reaffirms its ambitions but also demonstrates that it possesses an experienced squad capable of overcoming challenges. The ability to bounce back after losing the first set, defensive rigor, and offensive versatility are all indicators of a promising future.
