Gisagara were crowned champions of the 2019 CAVB Zone V Men’s Volleyball Club Championship on Saturday night after coming from a set down to beat compatriots REG in four (3-1) sets in the final staged at Amahoro Indoor Stadium.

Rwanda Energy Group (REG) took early control of the game to claim the opening set 25-20. However, their bright start was short-lived as Gisagara quickly fought back to win the second set by the same score-line.

Led by Rwanda international Nelson Murangwa, who also voted as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, Gisagara never looked back. The Gisagara District-sponsored side also won the third set 25-20 before sealing the victory with a 25-19 fourth set.

Gisagara reached the final of the four-day regional tournament on Friday after easing past Uganda’s Sport S in semi-finals, while REG had seen off local rivals UTB.

In the third position play-off, also played on Saturday, Fidele Nyirimana’s UTB also overcame Sport S in four sets (20-25, 25-11, 25-15 and 25-23) to settle for bronze medals and USD 500 in cash prize.

Champions Gisagara pocketed USD 1,200 on top of gold medals while beaten finalists REG walked away with silver medals and USD 800 in cash prize.

The Africa Zone V regional championship had a participation of 12 teams from five countries; Burundi, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania and hosts Rwanda.

editorial@newtimesrwanda.com