Sports 21 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Nemostars Bolster Roster with Daudi Okello for Africa Club Championship
Uganda's Nemostars have added international star Daudi Okello and several other players to their squad ahead of the CAVB Men’s Africa Club Championship in Kigali, Rwanda. The six-time champions aim to improve on last year's 19th-place finish with this strengthened lineup. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/other-sport/nemostars-strengthen-squad-with-daudi-okello--5430404
Nemostars, Uganda’s six-time volleyball champions, are gearing up for the CAVB Men’s Africa Club Championship from April 20 to May 3 in Kigali, Rwanda. The team has reinforced its roster with key additions to build a competitive edge.
Leading the new signings is Ugandan international Daudi Okello, born in 1995, widely regarded as the country’s top volleyball talent. With a professional career spanning Rwanda, Bulgaria, Turkey, South Korea, Qatar, and Indonesia since 2015, Okello brings scoring prowess and experience from last year’s event in Libya. His arrival likely displaces Geoffrey Onapa as the starting opposite.
Other reinforcements include experienced libero Emmanuel Elanyu, setter Hussein Adome, receiver-attacker Mark Omara—who captained UCU Doves and played in Libya—and young middle blocker Titi Okumu. The squad retains veterans like George Aporu, Smith Okumu, and Bernard Malinga, alongside Fahad Zungu, Willington Talemwa, Federicko Mujinya, Happy Ayebare, and Derrick Tuwangye.
A fresh coaching addition is Kenyan tactician Godfrey Okumu, an FIVB High Performance Instructor with stints in Kenya, Japan, and the Philippines. The team wraps up two months of training at Lugogo Indoor Stadium with a final session on Saturday before departing for Rwanda on Sunday.
Nemostars eyes a better showing than their 19th place in 2025 and past quarterfinal appearance in 2019, amid a field of 30 clubs. Domestic league playoffs remain on hold due to a disqualification dispute.
Squad Breakdown:
- Setters: Smith Okumu, Hussein Adome
- Opposites: Daudi Okello, Geoffrey Onapa
- Outside Hitters: George Aporu, Federicko Mujinya, Mark Omara, Derrick Tuwangye
- Middle Blockers: Bernard Malinga, Willington Talemwa, Fahad Zungu, Titi Okumu
- Liberos: Emmanuel Elanyu, Happy Ayebare