NAIROBI, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Pipeline, Mofolofolo from Botswana and Exuberant Stef Auto of Madagascar launched their campaign for the Africa women club championship in volleyball here on Thursday.
With the focus on single ticket to represent Africa at the world club championships in Doha, Qatar in October, the continental showpiece attracted 18 clubs and will conclude on May 20.
Pipeline, who are the Kenyan league champions, wasted no time to dismiss debutantes Manga Sport of Gabon in straight sets of 3-0 (25-2, 25-14, 25-4) in a Pool A match.
"My team played well to the instructions I gave them. I started with caution because I had no idea of what to expect from the Gabonese. We are now off the ramp and the target is to take each match at a time until the final," said Japheth Munala, the Kenya Pipeline head coach.
Munala opted to start with veteran setter Rhodah Lyali, libero Mildred Odwako, attackers Lucy Chege, Asha Makuto and Ruth Jepngetich, Janet Wanja and Esther Wangeci.
In the other match Exuberant Stef Auto team of Madagascar shocked Water Sport of Ethiopia in straight sets of 3-0 (25-20, 25- 21, 25-18) in a Pool 'C'.
Water Sport, who wound up fourth in last year's competition, showed slight recovery in the second set with good net play from Captain Addis Yodit and Dessie Rahel but failed to get the steam to propel them to oust Stef.
Mafolofolo of Botswana recovered from a set deficit to beat Daring Club Motema Pembe of DRC 3-1 (24-26, 25-13, 25-20, 25-17) in a Pool D.
The drawing of lots was done on Wednesday with four pools. Two pools have five teams each with the first two from each group sailing through to the quarterfinals.
Champions Kenya Prisons, who have won the title on three occasions (2008, 2010 and 2011) have Jeshi Stars (Tanzania), FAP ( Cameroon), Varieties (Gabon) and Canon d Njil (Congo) in Pool B.
Pool A has Kenya Pipeline, Manga Sports (Gabon), Chlef (Algeria) and Nkumba University (Uganda).
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) are in Pool C, which has been dubbed the group of death together with Stella (Ivory Coast), Rwanda Avenue Authority (Rwanda), Water Sports (Ethiopia) and Stef Auto (Madagascar).
Pool D comprises of Daring Club Motema Pembe, DGSP of Congo ( Brazaville), Blue Angels (Nigeria) and Mafolofolo (Botswana). CAVB President Amr Elwani conducted the drawing of lots. Enditem