Tunisian men’s club Moulodia Sportive de Bou Salem and Egyptian women’s club Zamalek won their first-ever continental titles at the 2023 African Clubs Championship held in Tunisia.

Moulodia staged a remarkable comeback to stun Egyptian champions Zamalek 3-2 (20-25, 22-25, 26-24, 25-23, 15-12) in the final played in Kelibia. After losing the first two sets, the Tunisian club, urged on by a sizeable home crowd, won the next three to be crowned African champions for the first time in history.

Kenyan middle blocker Simion Kipkorir led Moulodia with 14 points (10 kills, 3 blocks, 1 ace) while Egyptian opposite Haikal Reda replied for Zamalek with a game-high 18 points (14 kills, 1 block, 3 aces). Kipkorir also made history as the first ever Kenyan to win the African Clubs Championship title.

Kenyan middle blocker Simion Kipkorir of Moulodia Sportive de Bou Salem of Tunisia made history as the first Kenyan to win the Africa Men Clubs Championship title (Photo credits: CAVB)

JSC Ouled Adouane of Algeria beat Port de Douala of Cameroon 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-14) in the third-place playoff to walk home with the bronze medal.

Egyptian Zamalek’s women team made up for the defeat of their men’s team by beating Kenya Pipeline 3-1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-15, 25-17) in the final played at Hammamet.

It was the first ever continental title for Zamalek’s women’s team and their second trophy of the 2022/23 season after winning the Egyptian Cup earlier this month.

Zamalek captain receives African Women Clubs Championship trophy from the CAVB President Bouchra Hajij (Photo credits: CAVB)

Tunisian champions CF Carthage, who lost 3-2 to Pipeline in the semi-finals, overcame MC Alger 3-0 (25-16,25-14,25-17) to claim bronze.