The CAVB Zone 4 Club Championship enters its crucial semifinal phase today at the Complexe Multisports de Japoma in Douala, with three matches set to determine who will compete for continental glory.
The women’s competition takes a slightly different route this year. Under the tournament format, Litto Team of Douala earned direct passage to the final after topping the regular championship phase. That leaves second-placed Nyong-Kellé and third-placed VC La Loi from the Democratic Republic of Congo to battle it out at noon for the right to challenge Litto Team in the decider.
For the men, it’s a more conventional setup. The top four sides from the group stage have been paired off, with table-toppers PAD Cameroon taking on fourth-placed VC Espoir at four o’clock this afternoon. Before that, at two o’clock, Litto Team will meet Service National of Congo in what promises to be a tight affair between the second and third-placed sides.
Both PAD and Litto Team’s women have swept through the competition without dropping a single match, and on paper, they remain firm favourites to lift their respective trophies. But knockout volleyball has a habit of producing surprises. The teams they defeated in the group stages have had time to learn, adapt and grow in confidence.
What looked comfortable a few days ago might feel rather different when the pressure of sudden elimination enters the equation
All three matches take place today at Japoma, with the women’s semifinal kicking things off at midday.
