By Victor Okoye
Abuja, April 4, 2025 – Nigeria Customs Service and Armee Patriotique Rwandaise Volleyball Club (APR) of Rwanda both got off to a flying start on Day 1 at the ongoing CAVB Women’s African Volleyball Club Championship in Abuja.
Nigeria Customs made a triumphant start to the championship, thrashing Mayo Kane Evolution (MKE) of Cameroon 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-22) to take the lead in Pool A, in front of their enthusiastic home fans and an excited First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu and other dignitaries who were on ground to cheer the team to victory.
The host team dominated the first set, showcasing quick movement and strategic ball distribution, which earned them a 25-18 win.
Their impressive defence against the Cameroonians’ onslaught saved numerous balls, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Earlier, Armee Patriotique Rwandaise Volleyball Club (APR) of Rwanda stunned Club Femini De Carthage (CFC) of Tunisia in Pool A opener after coming from a set down to emerge victorious at the end of a pulsating encounter.
Rwanda’s APR earned a famous comeback victory against CFC of Tunisia winning 3-1 (18-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-23). Tunisia’s CFC had taken an early lead and dominated the first set with some strong hitting for a 25-18 win.
The Tunisians looked to continue their dominance in the second set as they led at the first technical timeout.
They showed good structured play and defence, but APR eventually outplayed to win the second set 26-24.
APR showed their versatility and blocking strength to keep the Tunisians from gaining any real traction in the third set, winning 25-23.
The Rwandans launched a passionate comeback and dominanted throughout the fourth set, forcing CFC to effect substitutions and time outs.
The Tunisians closed the gap to 23-22 forcing APR to bring in fresh energy to stop the opponents’ attacks and eventually winning 25-23 to seal a famous win.
It was indeed a great comeback as APR shocked CFC 3-1 in pool A to set the tone for the rest of their competition.
