Nigeria Seals Quarterfinal Ticket at 2026 African Men’s Volleyball Championship
Nigeria has secured a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 African Men’s Volleyball Championship in Tunisia after defeating Algeria 3-2 in a five-set thriller on Thursday, September 17.
The Nigerian side fought back twice before completing the comeback with a 15-12 victory in the deciding set. The other four sets ended 23-25, 25-19, 21-25 and 25-20.
Nigeria started strongly and took an early lead in the opening set, but Algeria recovered to edge the set 25-23.
The Nigerian team responded in the second set, controlling the play and levelling the match with a 25-19 victory.
Algeria regained the advantage in the third set, winning 25-21 and putting Nigeria under pressure.
Nigeria, however, refused to let the match slip away. The team produced another strong response in the fourth set, taking it 25-20 to force a deciding set.
The fifth set remained closely contested, but Nigeria held its nerve to win 15-12 and complete the comeback.
The victory sees Nigeria finish the group stage with a perfect record after opening the championship with a straight-set win over Chad.
The result also gives the team a place in the quarterfinals as Nigeria continues its campaign at the continental championship.
Head coach Ryan Masajedi praised the team's response after losing the opening set and urged the players to remain focused ahead of the next stage.
The coach had earlier identified progression from the group as Nigeria's immediate target, and the team has now achieved that objective with victories over both Chad and Algeria.
Nigeria will now turn its attention to the quarterfinals as the team continues its bid for a strong finish in Tunisia.
The championship also carries significance in the qualification race for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the 2027 FIVB World Championship.
After missing the 2023 edition, Nigeria's return to the continental championship has now produced two wins from two group matches and a place in the last eight.
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