Rwanda’s representatives at the 2009 Women’s African club championship, APR got their campaign off to a flying start after a tense 3-2 victory over Ethiopia’s Federal Prisons at Nairobi’s Kasarani Sports complex on Monday.

The first timers had to come from behind before securing a much-needed victory in Pool D, which also includes title favourites Al Ahly of Egypt and Canon Ndijili of DR. Congo.

APR started strong with a 25-20 first set win but lost two successive sets 27-25 and 25-20 to trail the Ethiopian side 1-2 after the third set.

However, APR’s new signing Dorcas Ndasaba with plenty of experience in the championship after featuring for Kenya’s KCB since 2005 masterminded the army-side’s come back.

The Rwandan champions went on to win the fourth and fifth set 25-19 and 15-9.

According to our sources in Nairobi, APR’s second game against Al Ahly, which was scheduled for last evening, was still in doubt due to persistent power cuts.

Elsewhere, last year’s runners up KCB registered a straight sets win (25-11, 25-19, and 25-19) over Kampala Amateur Volleyball Club (KAVC).

Bafia of Cameroon also registered a 3-0 victory over Burundi’s Les AS.

This year, the competition has attracted a record entry of 16 clubs divided into four pools. The top two teams in each pool qualify to the quarterfinal while the third and fourth ranked teams will play for the 9- 16 positions.

The championship dates back in 1986 and Kenya’s Pipelines are the record holders with seven titles.

Al Ahly of Egypt has five titles while KCB, APR coach Paul Bitok’s former club have one title.

Pool A- Pipeline (KEN), VC (DR Congo), Bejaia (ALG) and Water Sports (ETH).

Pool B- Prisons (KEN), Kutwano (BOT), Bafia (CMR) and Les AS (BUR).

Pool C- KCB (KEN), Injs (CMR), KAVC (UGA) and Jadida (MOR)

Pool D- Al Ahly (EGY), APR (RWA), Canon Ndijili (DR Congo) and Federal prisons (ETH).

Ends