ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, August 23 (Xinhua) -- In a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) Beach Volleyball Continental Championships, Morocco clinched the men's title while Nigeria emerged victorious in the women's category. Both nations not only celebrated their championship victories but also secured coveted Olympic quota spots for the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Games.
In the men's final, the Moroccan duo of Zouheir Elgraoui and Soufiane El Gharouti exhibited remarkable skill and teamwork as they faced off against Algeria's Kallouche Mohamed-Islem and Ayyoub Dekkiche. The match culminated in a score of 21-19, 21-12, with Elgraoui and El Gharouti maintaining an impressive streak throughout the tournament, winning all seven matches without losing a single set. After the match, Elgraoui reflected on the intensity of the competition, stating, "The match was very difficult because Algeria is a strong team. The first set was very tough, but we managed to win it at the end, and after that we were able to control the second set." He further expressed his excitement about participating in his third Olympics, emphasizing that their long-standing success as African champions is a testament to their years of hard work and dedication.
On the women's side, Nigeria's Esther Onyinye Mbah and Pamela Miyoum Bawa triumphed over Morocco's Alexandra Erhart and Nora Nezha Jihane Darrhar with a score of 21-18, 21-11, securing not only the championship title but also a ticket to the LA28 Olympics. This victory marked the duo's first African senior title as a partnership. Mbah noted the significance of their win, stating, "We played Morocco in the group stage and lost 2-1, so meeting them again in the final showed how strong they are. We are very happy and proud that we were able to beat them this time." She attributed their success to resilience and mutual trust, highlighting the importance of their collaboration on the court.
This year's championship held particular significance as it was the first time Egypt hosted the African beach volleyball continental event. Aida Ismail, a member of the CAVB and chair of the organizing committee, expressed her pride in hosting the event, stating, "It is an honor for us to organize this event for Egypt. The Alexandria Governorate provided us with great support, and the teams are very happy with Alexandria, Egypt and the organization." The successful execution of the championships showcased not only the competitive spirit of the participating teams but also the warm hospitality of the host city.
As reported by english.news.cn.
