The 2026 African Women’s Volleyball Championship kicks off in Nairobi on Sunday, with 16 nations set to battle for the continental title, www.aclsports.com reports.
The tournament runs until September 5 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, with Nigeria among the teams competing in Nairobi as they target a place at the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship.
Nigeria will be led by captain Ijeoma Ukpabi and head coach Elishama Elam, with Olusegun Abinde as assistant coach and Sunday Akapson serving as setters trainer.
FULL SQUAD
Outside hitters: Ijeoma Ukpabi, Maryam Ibrahim, Deborah Chukwu, Mmesoma Okekearu
Middle blockers: Deborah Sunday, Ganiyat Lateef, Aisha Bello
Opposite hitters: Kelechi Ndukauba, Christiana Paul
Setters: Aisha Umaru, Enewa Odoh
Libero: Jummai Bitrus
Other participating nations are hosts Kenya, Egypt, Cameroon, Rwanda, Algeria, Morocco, Uganda, Mali, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Senegal, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Zambia.
The championship also serves as part of the qualification process for the 2028 Olympic Games, with champions earning Africa’s direct Olympic berth.
Nigeria will be aiming for a strong showing in Nairobi as they look to improve on their most recent fourth-place finish in 2021, having previously finished runners-up four times.
