"VAN" (Sports Desk - 07.09.2026) :: Egypt are African women’s volleyball champions once again after producing a commanding performance to defeat hosts and defending champions Kenya 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-15) in the final of the 2026 Women’s African Nations Championship at Kasarani Arena in Nairobi on Friday (4 September), securing the gold medal and ending a 23-year wait for the continental crown.
The victory delivered a historic double for Egypt, combining the African title with qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, marking a major milestone for Egyptian women’s volleyball.
EGYPT DOMINATE THE FINAL Egypt took control of the decisive encounter from the opening set, winning 25-22 before stepping up their performance in the second and third sets to claim both 25-15. The side showed remarkable composure and concentration throughout the final, handling the pressure of playing in front of a passionate home crowd and producing a convincing straight-sets victory. The triumph confirmed Egypt’s strength on the continental stage after they overcame one of Africa’s most successful women’s volleyball nations on home soil.
23 YEARS AFTER The victory carries particular historical significance for Egypt, ending a 23-year wait since their previous African title in 2003. Egypt had previously won the Women’s African Nations Championship three times, in 1976, 1989 and 2003, before adding a fourth continental crown in Nairobi in 2026, making a powerful return to the summit of African women’s volleyball.
AFRICAN CHAMPIONS AND OLYMPIC BOUND Egypt’s achievement went beyond winning the continental crown, as the team also secured qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, an important milestone for Egyptian women’s volleyball and another opportunity to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
By combining the African title with Olympic qualification, Egypt turned the Nairobi championship into a landmark tournament in its history.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AT KASARANI ARENA The final was attended by prominent figures from the international and African volleyball community, including FIVB President Fabio Azevedo and Bouchra Hajij, President of the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB), President of the Royal Moroccan Volleyball Federation, FIVB Vice President and Arab Volleyball Federation Vice President.
H.E. Hatem Yousry, Ambassador of Egypt to Kenya, was also present at Kasarani Arena, supporting the Egyptian team from the stands and sharing in the celebrations following their historic victory.
The Egyptian Embassy in Kenya provided continuous support to the delegation throughout the championship, with the Ambassador closely following the team’s campaign before attending the decisive final.
The packed Kasarani Arena provided a spectacular atmosphere for the final and reflected the growing popularity and importance of women’s volleyball across Africa.
GREAT PRIDE Dr Hamdy Nour El-Din Mansour, Head of the Egyptian Delegation and Member of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Volleyball Federation, expressed his great pride in the team’s achievement.
He praised the players and technical staff for their commitment and focus throughout the championship and thanked Ambassador Hatem Yousry and the Egyptian Embassy in Kenya for their valuable support.
THE 14 PLAYERS THAT MADE HISTORY Egypt’s championship squad featured:
Dana Ahmed Shawky, Sara Ahmed Amin, Nada Walid Issa, Aya Khaled Mohamed, Mai Mahmoud Abdel Meguid, Habiba Mohamed Zaater, Nourallah Yassin Amin, Mariam Mohamed Metwally, Taqa Allah Medhat Issa, Dalia Ashraf Morshedy, Nada Walid Morgan, Nada Hossam El-Din Moawad, Doaa Mohamed Abdel Ghany and Zeina Tamer El-Alamy.
The team was led by head coach Emad El-Din Mohamed Nowar, assisted by Ahmed Saad El-Din Abou El-Ata as assistant and general coach.
The technical staff also included Abdelrahman Ibrahim Hussein as technical analyst, Dr Somaya Nagah Abdelaziz as physiotherapist and Ehab Hussein Abdel Moneim as team manager.
FROM NAIROBI TO LOS ANGELES Kenya hosted the 2026 Women’s African Nations Championship from 23 August to 5 September, with 16 national teams competing for the continental title and Olympic qualification. Egypt leave Nairobi with both prizes.
From Nairobi to Los Angeles, Egypt’s women’s national volleyball team have written a new and historic chapter in their story.
Cr-AIPS
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