This past week, African volleyball in Kigali which once again affirmed its status as a rising sports hub in East Africa as the 47th edition of the CAVB Men’s Club Championship came to a close. Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC secured their 17th continental title after edging Police VC in straight sets in the final held at BK Arena on Saturday. ALSO READ: Al Ahly defeat Police VC to clinch 17th African club championship in Kigali Beyond the thrilling spikes, powerful serves, and high-level performances—including appearances from Volleyball Nations League (VNL) stars such as Cuban opposite hitter Masso Alvarez—the tournament highlighted the steadily rising standard of the sport across the African continent. Here are what stood out during the African premier club volleyball showpiece in Kigali. Rwandan clubs leave a mark Since 2022, when Gisagara VC claimed a bronze medal, Rwandan clubs have continued to rise on the continental stage. This year, Police VC and Rwanda Energy Group (REG) both reached the podium, earning silver and bronze respectively. This strong showing propelled Rwanda to 7th place among the 54 national federations affiliated with the Confederation of African Volleyball. Regionally, East Africa also demonstrated impressive depth, with around 80 percent of its clubs advancing to the knockout stages. Only Rukinzo VC (Burundi) and Prisons VC (Tanzania) exited early—an indicator of the region’s growing competitiveness and its potential to produce world-class talent. Stars of the game The tournament was equally significant on an individual level. Police VC head coach Fred Musoni, just 33 years old and only three years into his coaching career, became the first Rwandan tactician to guide a club to a silver medal in the competition. Among players, Eissa Elhossiny of Al Ahly stood out, earning both Best Opposite and Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors. Police VC’s Gideon Angiro made history as the first Ugandan to win a medal at the championship. Meanwhile, REG’s Nicholas Matui, named Best Outside Hitter, further cemented his reputation among Africa’s elite. He continues to play a key role for REG in the Rwanda National League and was previously named MVP of the Kenyan Volleyball League. Al Ahly’s superiority was real, felt Out of 109 matches played over 10 days, Al Ahly delivered a flawless campaign, winning the title without dropping a single set across nine matches. Coached by Gordon Mayforth, the team reinforced its dominance as Africa’s most decorated club. The triumph marked their fifth trophy of the season, adding to titles in the Egyptian League, Super Cup, Super League, and Egyptian Cup. Championship attracts over 60 million viewers The tournament also broke new ground in visibility and fan engagement. It was broadcast for the first time on Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), while YouTube viewership surpassed 60 million. The championship attracted diverse audiences, including members of Rwanda’s military and police, as well as international volleyball fans. Rwanda’s visa-free policy also helped draw foreign supporters, further boosting the sport’s popularity across the continent. Refereeing technology debuts successfully The Video Challenge System (VCS) was introduced for the first time, starting from the round of 16. It enabled referees to review key decisions such as ball in/out calls, block touches, net faults, antenna touches, and foot faults, with each team allowed two challenges per match. Notably, no complaints were raised against its functionality, marking a successful debut and setting a strong precedent for future editions of the competition.
