Black Spikers roar into CAVB Championship quarter-finals after Zambia victory

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By Maxwell Kumoye

Ghana’s national women’s volleyball team, the Black Spikers, have secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 CAVB Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship in Nairobi, Kenya, following a hard-fought victory over Zambia.

The Ghanaian team produced a composed performance under pressure to defeat their Southern African opponents 3-1 in a thrilling Round of 16 clash, played as Match 26 of the continental championship.

The encounter lived up to expectations as both teams battled fiercely from the opening serve, with Ghana narrowly taking the first set 29-27 after a tense exchange of points.

Zambia responded emphatically in the second set, capitalising on their momentum to level the contest with a 25-19 win and set up a tense battle for qualification.

However, the Black Spikers regained their rhythm in the crucial stages of the match, taking control of the third set with another 25-19 victory before sealing their quarter-final ticket with a dominant 25-17 performance in the fourth set.

The victory marks another significant step for Ghana as they continue their pursuit of continental glory in Nairobi, with the Black Spikers now among the final eight teams competing for the prestigious title.

Meanwhile, Rwanda also advanced to the quarter-finals after delivering a commanding straight-set victory over Burkina Faso.

Rwanda wasted no time asserting their dominance, sweeping aside Burkina Faso 25-19, 25-16, and 25-8 to complete a convincing 3-0 win.

Ghana and Rwanda join host nation Kenya, Algeria, Uganda, and Cameroon in the quarter-final lineup, with the remaining teams battling for the final spots in the last eight.

The competition now enters a decisive phase as Africa’s top women’s volleyball nations continue their quest for supremacy in Nairobi.

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