Nigeria Clinch Bronze at Africa U-18 Beach Volleyball Youth Cup

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

Nigeria’s Under-18 girls’ beach volleyball team showcased resilience and determination as they clinched the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Under-18 Beach Volleyball Youth Development Cup held in Banjul, The Gambia.

The young side produced a commanding performance in the third-place playoff, sweeping Morocco 2-0 (21-7, 21-12) on Saturday. This came after their narrow 2-1 (16-21, 21-16, 15-12) semifinal defeat to DR Congo, a match that tested their grit but ultimately denied them a spot in the final.

Head coach John Iwerima praised his players for their commitment and fighting spirit throughout the tournament. According to him, the bronze medal was a reward for the team’s hard work, even though they fell short of their ultimate target. “I’m proud of the girls. They gave their best on the court and showed great character in every game. We’ll take time to reflect on this tournament, learn from our mistakes, and ensure we don’t underestimate any team in future competitions,” he said.

Beyond Nigeria’s achievement, the competition underlined Africa’s growing strength in beach volleyball. President of the CAVB Beach Volleyball Commission, Musa Nimrod, commended the standard of play on display, highlighting the bright prospects for the sport on the continent. “The level of competition has improved, and I must commend all the teams for their effort. The future of beach volleyball in Africa is very bright. With the right development, we can soon compete with top European nations,” he remarked.

In the final standings, DR Congo emerged champions after a series of strong performances, while host nation The Gambia secured silver. Nigeria’s bronze completes the podium. On the boys’ side, Nigeria were unable to progress past the quarterfinals following a defeat to Sierra Leone, ending their campaign earlier than expected.

The Africa Under-18 Youth Development Cup also served as a qualification pathway to the Youth Olympic Games. With their podium finishes, DR Congo, The Gambia, and Nigeria’s girls’ team have now secured tickets to represent Africa at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal