Egypt end 23-Year wait, qualify for Los Angeles 2028

...Cameroon take bronze

By Maxwell Kumoye

 

 

Egypt ended a 23-year wait for the African women’s volleyball title after producing a dominant performance to defeat hosts Kenya 3-0 in the final of the 2026 Women’s African Volleyball Championship.

The Egyptians overwhelmed Kenya 25-21, 25-15, 25-15 at the Kasarani Arena on Friday to claim their fourth continental crown and, in the process, secure Africa’s qualification ticket for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Egypt’s victory brought back memories of their previous triumphs in 1976, 1989 and 2003, with the latest success restoring the North Africans to the summit of African women’s volleyball.

The hosts struggled to cope with Egypt’s intensity and organisation as the visitors established control early in the final. Kenya pushed hard in the opening set but Egypt held firm to take it 25-21 before stepping up their performance in the second and third sets.

The 25-15, 25-15 victories in the final two sets completed a convincing championship performance and sparked celebrations among the Egyptian delegation and supporters at Kasarani.

The title was made even more significant by the Olympic qualification secured alongside it, giving Egypt an opportunity to return to the Olympic volleyball stage in Los Angeles.

The final was attended by leading figures in the sport, including FIVB President Fabio Azevedo and CAVB President Bouchra Hajij, who also serves as an FIVB vice-president. Egypt’s Ambassador to Kenya, Hatem Yousry, was also present as the Egyptian team celebrated its historic double.

Cameroon secured the bronze medal after beating Rwanda 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-19) in the third-place match.

Cameroon, three-time African champions, dictated the pace throughout the encounter and never allowed Rwanda to find a way back into the contest.

They took the first set 25-17 and followed it with a 25-16 victory before completing the job 25-19 in the third set.

The bronze medal further strengthens Cameroon’s record as one of the continent’s leading women’s volleyball nations.

For Rwanda, reaching the third-place match represented a strong campaign, although the team will have to wait longer for its first African championship title.

The 2026 Women’s African Volleyball Championship, hosted by Kenya from August 23 to September 5, featured 16 national teams battling for continental honours and a place in the qualification pathway for the Los Angeles Olympics.

Egypt ultimately emerged as the biggest winner in Nairobi, African champions after 23 years and officially on the road to Los Angeles 2028.