Kenya’s men’s representatives in the 46th edition of the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) Championship, GSU and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), have been eliminated.

GSU exited the competition after a 3-0 loss to APR of Rwanda, as KPA succumbed to a 2-3 defeat against FUS Rabat in an enthralling round of 16 match-ups played on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Libya.

GSU advanced from the preliminary stages after a second-place finish in Pool A behind Al Ahly. KPA also managed a second-place spot, concluding its group engagement with a point above APR in Group D.

Esperance led the group with 15 points.

Proceeding, however, turned sour in the knockout stages. GSU, who had been Kenya’s best show in the games, had a tough ask against the Rwandese side, losing in three straight sets.

KPA spirited fight

Their best performance came in the opening round, which ultimately saw them come up short in a 25-27 disappointment.

The lanky opponents claimed the second set on a 21-25 before sending the paramilitary side packing in the final set with a 19-25 score.

Meanwhile, KPA’s spirited fight against Fath Union Sports (FUS) ended on a sour note following a 2-3 defeat.

James Ontere’s boys mastered an early advantage to take the first set 25-21 before their rivals hit back to narrowly win the second and third battles on identical 23-25. The Kenyans bounced back for a 25-18 win before losing the war in the decisive fifth set on a 9-15.

Meanwhile, it proved a day of dominance for the North African teams, with Morocco and the Egyptian side dominating the round of 16 games.

WAT Tlemcen from Algeria, Ittihad Club (LBA), and Al Ahly Club all won their games to advance to the quarterfinals. Al Ahly Sporting defeated Al Nasser Sports Club from Libya in three straight sets of 25-18, 25-15 and 25-19.

Algeria’s WAT Tlemcen also downed Cameroon’s Port Autonome De Douala Volleyball in a 3-1 score to advance. Ittihad Club, on their part, edged Cameroon Sports Volleyball 3-0.

Elwak Wings Volleyball Club of Ghana and Esperance Sportive de Tunis also punched their tickets to the next rounds.

Speaking after the win, APR’s Kenyan coach Sammy Mulinge, lauded his charges for a good fight against a tough opponent.

“It was a great performance from the team. We planned well. We knew GSU had good experienced players, receivers and a coach. We had to put lots of pressure on the services and worked on our first balls. We are content with the result as we now shift focus to the quarterfinals,” he said.