Vacoas, Mauritius, April 24, 2005 - Cameroon became the second African women's team to secure a 2006 World Championship final round spot after defeating Tunisia 3-1 (25-13, 24-26, 25-21, 25-19) to win the 2006 Women’s World Championship first round tournament (Africa Pool C) in Vacoas, Mauritius on Sunday.

Cameroon used the artistry of their star players Ondouna Messina, the top scorer in the match with 17 points, and the solid block of Rose Beleng to win the deciding match in 103 minutes of exciting Volleyball. After Cameroon won the first set following little Tunisian resistance, the Tunisian superstar Arbia Rafrafi led her team to win the most thrilling set of the tournament. However, Cameroon soon regained their rhythm in the second and third sets and used the solid block of Beleng and captain Mbeya Ambatta to penetrate the Tunisian defence and clinch the famous victory.
Pic: Cameroon's Rebecca Ngo on attack against the Tunisian block
“We were confident even when we lost the second set,” Cameroon head coach Lavoisier Yende said. “This victory today is for all this generation of players who are so talented. Now we can focus on Japan in 2006.”

“We got beaten by a more experience side,” Tunisia coach Lofti Ben Slimane said. “My girls are still learning. I hope now that we can participate in these tournaments more often so we can progress and build on this performance.”

Hosts Mauritius claimed the other victory on the final day of the tournament after beating Uganda 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-21) to leave them in third position in the final standings and winless Uganda in fourth.

Cameroon’s victory means they now join Egypt, who won a first round tournament in March, and the automatic qualifiers - hosts Japan and defending champions Italy - in the prestigious final round. There are now 20 of the 24 vacancies left to be determined in the 2006 Women’s World Championship final round including the third and final CAVB ticket (Africa Pool B) which will be held in Kenya in June.

The next tournament to feature in the 2006 Women’s World Championship is a first round event (CAVB Pool C) in Saint-Dié, France from April 27-May 1, 2005 featuring the hosts, Finland, Norway, Bosnia Herzegovina, Belgium where the top two place getters will advance to the second round.

The next tournament to feature in the 2006 Men’s World Championship is a first round event (Asia Pool B) in Ratchaburi, Thailand from April 29-May 1, 2005 featuring the hosts, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan where the two top place getters will also advance to the second round.
(Released by FIVB)