Man, you should’ve seen Cairo! The city was alive, more than I’ve ever seen it. The streets were a sea of red, white, and black flags, and you could feel something special in the air. We were hosting the 2023 African Volleyball Tournament, and let me tell you, the energy was electric. The stakes? Well, they were sky-high. Egypt hadn’t clinched the title since 2015, and people were desperate to break that jinx.
A Rockstar Performance, Finally!
We’ve waited eight long years for this, people. Tunisia had been hogging the limelight for the last few tournaments, but this time around, home-court advantage really worked its magic. Our team, the Pharaohs, pulled off a show-stopping performance and took the trophy back where it belongs!
The Thrills and Spills of the Tournament
No joke, the competition was intense! Fourteen teams came with their A-game, and we had some nail-biting moments. Two things you’ve gotta know:
- Settling Scores with Algeria: These guys had beaten us earlier in the tournament. Talk about tension! But when it came down to the gold medal match, boom! Our team stepped up and whipped them 3-1. It felt like the whole country was high-fiving at once!
- Libya’s Cinderella Story: Major props to Libya, seriously. They snatched third place and made their first podium appearance since way back in 1979. Everyone’s talking about them now!
Meet the Stars: Dream Team of the Tournament
Every championship has its heroes, and this tournament was no exception. Here’s a breakdown of the players who stole the show:
| Player | Country | Position |
| Abdalla Hossam | Egypt | Setter (MVP) |
| Ahmed Ikhbayri | Libya | Opposite |
| Ahmed Shafik | Egypt | Outside Hitter |
| Sofiane Hosni | Algeria | Outside Hitter |
| Sem Dolegombai | Cameroon | Middle Blocker |
| Abdelrahman Seoudy | Egypt | Middle Blocker |
| Achouri Ilyas | Algeria | Libero |
Star Players that Ruled the Court
Man, the individual performances were lit! Here’s the rundown of who killed it out there:
- Abdalla Hossam from our side got MVP. At 35, he’s still setting like a boss!
- Libya’s Ahmed Ikhbayri was a powerhouse, making us all sit up and take notice.
- Our own Ahmed Shafik and Abdelrahman Seoudy showed they’re no slouches either.
A Tearful Goodbye to a Legend
This was more than just a win, guys. Ahmed ‘Salah’ Abdelhay, our volleyball legend, decided it was time to hang up his boots. The guy’s been with the team since their 2009 African Championship win and has gone to the Olympics twice. Seeing him lift that trophy one last time was emotional, to say the least.
What’s Next? Eyes on Tokyo!
We’re not resting on our laurels, no sir! Up next is the Volleyball Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Tokyo. We’re in Pool B alongside Tunisia, and the competition is fierce. Think the U.S., Japan, Slovenia, and a bunch of other heavyweights. Only the top two get to go to the Paris Olympics, and you bet we’re aiming for that!
Our MVP, Abdalla Hossam, was on cloud nine.
Winning on home soil? Man, it’s like a dream! But we’re not done. Tokyo, here we come!
From Alexandria’s cafes to Aswan’s peaceful Nile banks, the celebrations were epic. Fireworks, songs, dances you name it! This win was for every Egyptian, and boy, did it feel good!
Wrapping it Up
So, that’s the lowdown on the 2023 African Volleyball Tournament. What a rollercoaster! Egypt’s back on top, legends are taking their final bows, and new heroes are rising. The best part? This is just the beginning. The road to Tokyo and the Paris Olympics is wide open, and it’s gonna be a wild ride!
